We are in mid-December, but tennis never stops!Coppini Tennis Academystandout Philip Henning conquered another title in his high-quality season, winning the M15 Sharm El Sheikh event and celebrating his 14th Futures trophy at 25, the sixth of the season.
After falling in the quarter-final last week, the South African raised his level and conquered this week's event after dropping one set in five encounters. Henning kicked off the action with a 6-3, 6-3 victory over Italy's Filiberto Fumagalli.
Philip saved all four break points and provided three breaks that carried him through. World no. 308 secured a double bagel in the second round versus the 17-year-oldEyad Reda Ezzat Mohamed Sherif.
The more experienced player dominated on serve and return and sealed the deal in 46 minutes after a masterclass performance. Henning faced Marko Milosavljevic in the last eight and provided a 6-3, 6-3 victory.
ADVERTISEMENT
The top seed sealed the deal in 81 minutes, losing serve once and providing three breaks for a place in the semi-final. Philip had to work harder against Ukraine'sGeorgii Kravchenko.
The South African dropped the opening set before turning the tables and securing a 4-6, 6-3, 6-1 victory in two hours and seven minutes.World no. 308 lost serve two times and responded with five breaks for a place in the title clash.
Henning faced Belgium'sPierre Yves Bailly and earned a rock-solid 6-3, 6-3 victory in an hour and 28 minutes. The South African claimed 20 points more than his rival. Philip faced two break points and dropped serve once.
He kept the pressure on the other side and grabbed four return games from 11 opportunities. Henning broke in the first game of the match and wasted three more break chances at 2-0.
ADVERTISEMENT
Bailly survived break points in the seventh game before suffering another break at 3-5 to hand the opener to Philip. The South African clinched 12 of the opening 14 points of the second set for a 3-0 advantage.
He lost serve for the only time in the fifth game before clinching four straight points on the return in the next one for another break on his tally and a 4-2 advantage.
Henning held at love for 5-2 and generated a match point on the return in the next one. Pierre Yves saved it and held to prolong the battle. However, the Coppini Tennis Academy star held at 5-3 to seal the deal and claim his 14th Futures title at 25.
