Jack Pinnington Jones and Giles Hussey win first professional tour titles
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Jack Pinnington Jones and Giles Hussey both won their first professional tour titles of their careers over the weekend, in Antalya and Cancun respectively.
Pinnington Jones overpowered Russian Savva Polukhin 6-7(1), 6-4, 6-2 in the final of the Antalya M15. The 18-year-old from Surrey, who earned a place on the LTA’s Pro-Scholarship Programme for 2021, only dropped one set in the five matches played on the way to securing his maiden professional title.
Pinnington Jones defeated fellow Brit Felix Gill in the opening round before straight sets victories against Samuel Puskar, Mircea-Alexandru Jecan and Calin Manda. The young Brit only lost nine games en route to the final.
“I’m very happy to have won my first pro title” said Pinnington-Jones.
“It means a great deal to me and hopefully I can keep the momentum I have generated from it.”
The victory at the event, which forms part of the ITF World Tennis Tour, sees Pinnington Jones continue his transition from the junior tour to the senior ranks with the support of the Pro Scholarship Programme (PSP), the highest level of support offered to developing players by the national governing body.
Launched in 2016, the programme provides access to world class coaching, science and medicine support from the LTA Performance team, as well as financial support (up to £80,000) for players aged between 16 and 24 with genuine potential to reach the ATP/WTA top 100 within five years.
New British men’s No.1 Cameron Norrie was the first player to graduate from the scheme back in 2019, and players currently on the PSP programme include the likes of Emma Raducanu, Jay Clarke, Jack Draper and Harriet Dart.
Giles Hussey won his first ITF World Tour title in Mexico, defeating No. 6 seed Christian Langmo from the USA 6-3 5-7 6-4 in the final of the Cancun M15.
The Bath University player got the better of three seeded players on the way to winning his first title, dropping only two sets in the five matches played.
Victories against Brian Panta of Peru, Colombia’s Mateo Gomez and Alejandro Mendoza of Bolivia set up a last four tie with number three seed Sho Shimabakuro of Japan, winning 6-4, 6-3 before securing the trophy with victory against Christian Langmo.
