2019 IRISH OPEN | GEORGIA ON IRISH MINDS
Georgia Drummy beats Alice Robbe 6-1 6-2 in final at Carrickmines
While the weather failed to inspire on finals day, one woman’s performance lifted the crowd at Carrickmines Croquet & Lawn Tennis Club. Following on from Pete Bothwell’s triumph 12 months ago, home fans got to celebrate another Irish Open champion from the island.
Georgia Drummy, who hails from Donnybrook in south Dublin, won the women’s singles final with an impressive score of 6-1 6-2 over top seed Alice Robbe. Drummy had too much firepower for the Frenchwoman, breaking Robbe four times in a match that ended before the hour mark.
Surrounded by family and friends in just her second ITF singles final, the 19-year-old tried to block out the significance of the occasion while on court.
“I was just thinking about not looking up into the crowd because I didn’t want to spot people that I know and see how many people were there...I know that that would definitely affect my game. I would start to make more errors because it has happened in the past. So I was just trying to stay focused and forget about where I am at that moment and just think it’s my opponent and I on the court.”
That mindset seemed to do the trick as Drummy surged to a 3-0 lead in the opening set and did not relinquish control. Her serve - unbroken on the day - and powerful forehand were decisive factors in the contest. Drummy believes she is a much stronger player now than the one who lost in the round of 16 at the 2017 Irish Open.
“My game has improved a lot. I’m making less errors. My serve has gotten bigger which has helped, especially on this surface. Everything goes quite fast. I’ve been working a lot on serve-and-first ball which I thought went really well.”
After Robbe held serve in the fourth game, Drummy took the next three to close out the first set 6-1. The ITF world no.239 then broke at the start of the second set courtesy of a netted forehand from Robbe.
Drummy was ruthless with the Frenchwoman’s second serve throughout the match, winning 72% of points. Another break in the fifth game of the second set put the Irishwoman on the brink of victory. Serving for the championship at 5-2, the 19-year-old recovered from 0-30 and earned a first match point at 40-30.
During a crosscourt exchange, Drummy hooked a forehand wide. She would not be as generous on the following match point. The lefty stepped up to the baseline and nailed an ace down the ‘T’ to end the contest.
It’s the second ITF singles title of Drummy’s career, the first also coming this season at Amarante in Portugal. This trophy must be extra special for her though given the place and the people?
“It feels great. You go through times where you’re not playing as well or you’re not doing as well so it’s always a high when you win a tournament, especially at home when everyone’s there to watch and support you. It’s definitely a really good feeling.”
Earlier in the day, Igor Sijsling captured the men’s singles trophy. The 31-year-old, ranked 407 in the world, put in a resolute performance as he defeated Ryan Peniston 6-4 7-6(8).