The ATP Challenger Tour event in Ilkley continues to grow in stature and this year the tournament is attracting record crowds. Spotted this week were members of the Wetherby club enjoying the excellent tennis on show and enjoying the great hospitality too!

Dee Nolan was in attendance on Wednesday with husband Steve Jones and they watched Leander Paes ,the great Indian men’s and mixed doubles player , enjoy his victory with Adil Shamasdin as they defeated Hans Podlipnik and Andrei Vasilevsji in straight sets. Dee was quick to get herself a photo after with a beaming Paes.

Janine Smith was enjoying the Pimm’s as she caught up with York Two mixed star Kevin Duckenfield and Peter Baldwin, who is well on the way to recovery after a long term injury has ruled him out of playing on court for a considerable time now.

Smith also caught up with exciting British youngster Jay Clarke who caused a major shock when defeating heavy favourite Illya Marchenko on centre court 6-4,7-6 in the men’s singles event.

Laura Robson was attracting the crowds on Court Two but after winning the opening set 6-3,she fell to defeat against Maryna Zanevska who took the game with a 6-3,6-3 success much to the disappointment of Robson and the watching galleries.

Another Englishman Marcus Willis was good entertainment on the show court as he took on the aggressive and big serving Australian Samuel Groth. Willis delighted the home support with some superb tennis to take the opener 7-5 but after Groth took the tie break second set 7-6, the unbelievable power of the giant server proved too tough to contain and despite a valiant effort Willis lost the decider 6-3.

A lovely afternoon tea and with the wine flowing it made for a very enjoyable occasion.