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John's an ace

10/ 9/2008

IN THE recent Cheshire LTA County Finals, Prestbury Tennis Club’s rising star John Shellien secured second place in the county’s Order of Merit.

Seven-year-old John has been competing in the Cheshire LTA Mini Red Tennis tournaments, held at numerous venues throughout the county during the summer.

Mini Red is for children who are born in 2000 and later, effectively making it an under-nine competition.

Points are awarded for top three placings in the various tournaments, with the top 12 at the end of the summer invited to play in the county finals.

This year, John won three tournaments, at Lymm, Brabyns and Alderley Edge Lawn Tennis Clubs, was runner-up in three tournaments and had third places in a further two tournaments.

Overall, he finished in second place in the Order of Merit, an excellent achievement in a competition including players up to two years his senior.

The group stages and early knock out rounds of the County Finals were held on August 26 in Stockton Heath when John earned a place the last four.

The semis and final took place at Grappenhall Tennis Club three days later and, although he made the final, he was narrowly beaten by two sets to one.

John was coached by James Griffiths at Prestbury Tennis Club but unfortunately the coach has now returned to the Midlands.