Debut win on circuit for Daniell

Tennis

Masterton tennis professional Marcus Daniell was in devastating form at a US$10,000 ($12,800) Futures tournament played at Ilkley, England, over the weekend

Daniell won his first singles title on the ITF Futures circuit and combined with Great Britain's Richard Grabb to win the doubles crown.

In both cases victory did not come without a decent fight. In the singles Daniell, who was seeded eighth, was taken to the maximum three sets in the quarter-finals, semifinals and final with the latter producing a 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 victory over Great Britain's Tom Farquharson. The accuracy and power of Daniell's serving was illustrated by the fact he aced the seventh-seeded Farquharson on eight occasions.

The doubles saw Daniell and Grabb win a third-set tiebreaker 10-8 three times in four matches, including the final against Great Britain duo George Coupland and Joe Salisbury.

Daniell is playing in a Futures grass court event in Felistowe, England, this week.

Singles results: First round: Daniell beat Robin Goodman (Great Britain) 6-1, 7-5. Second round: Daniell beat Ryan Peniston (Great Britain) 6-1, 6-2. Quarterfinals: Daniell beat Daniel Cox (Great Britain) 7-5, 2-6, 7-5. Semifinals: Daniell beat Antoine Bennetau (France) 7-5, 4-6, 6-4. Final: Daniell beat Tom Farquharson (Great Britain) 6-3, 3-6, 6-3.

Doubles final: Daniell and Grabb beat George Coupland (Great Britain) and Joe Salisbury (Great Britain) 6-3, 4-6, (10-8).