Enniskillen junior tennis player Eimear Smyth has been enjoying her best tennis season ever. Fresh from winning the County Armagh championships she was vying to make her mark on one of Ulster’s biggest junior tournaments, the Ulster hardcourt championships held at Windsor tennis club.

Eimear met Rachel McCrum in the U16 semi final. On paper this could have been a difficult match as Rachel had beaten Eimear in the U14 final last year. This time, the progress that Eimear has made in the last year was clear to see as she took the match comfortably 6/4 6/3.

The final was against Dundalk’s Klara Hjalmers. It was only two months ago that Eimear had beaten Klara at the west of Ulster tournament in a very competItive encounter, so the scene was set for a great final on a lovely sunny afternoon. Klara got off to a great start playing well and won the first set 6-1. Eimear trailed 4-1 in the second set and looked like she was down and out, but then she started to fight back, winning the next four games to bring her up to 5-4. Klara won another game to make it 5-5. Both girls were playing fantastic tennis but Eimear’s steely resolve ensured she took the next two games, with great volleying and deep backhand returns. She dug deep and really upped her game winning the second set 7-5. After that she never looked back and took the third set and with it the title 6-2.

The Enniskillen Tennis Club is delighted to have junior players competing and winning at this level.

• Success for Sarah Cousins in Belfast - See Page 65.