Ryan Storrie Beat Benjamin Lock To Win 2019 McDan ITF World Tour

Ryan James Storrie from Great Britain stunned No.1 seed Benjamin Lock of Zimbabwe to claim his first professional title - the McDan ITF World Tour trophy at the Accra Sports Stadium Tennis Court, Ghana on Sunday.

Storrie had a charming drive to the finals as he defeated Ivorian Abdoulaziz Bationo 6-1,6-2 in the round 32 and continue his fine form beating Netherlands' Len Schouten 6-1,6-4.

Storrie overcame Portuguese Andre Gaspar Murta 6-1,6-1 and set up a clash against No.4 seed Mehluli Don Ayanda Sibanda Of Zimbabwe, beating him 6-2,6-0.

After each player took their serves to 2-2, Storrie brilliantly forehand winner was followed by an equally breathtaking backhand to earn three break points, and the first was converted as Storrie moved forward and hammered a short ball. The crowd at Frank Ofori centre court roared as Storrie hit an outrageous winner around the net post on his way to securing the first set 6-4.

At 4-4 Games all Storrie steered another of those trademark backhands down the line and raised his arms in triumph to win his first ITF Futures.

Earlier on Saturday Benjamin partnered his brother John Lock to win the Men’s Doubles by beating the pair of Darry Hale of Britain and Niklas Johansen of Sweden 6-4, 6-1.

All the winners received cash prizes, trophies and souvenirs from the sponsors.

Executive chairman, McDan Group, Dr Daniel McKorley who received a special trophy from the ITF said: “l promised Ghana two things- bringing the ITF tournament to Ghana and moving Ghana tennis from Zone III to Zone II, we are on course”

He praised the media and organisers as well as the officials and sponsors.

Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Perry Okudzeto commended the ITF and McDan for bringing the tournament to Ghana. He charged the media to refrain from negative reportage and report on the positives of sports to woe in more sponsors to sports as government alone can not fund sports.

The McDan ITF World Tour was sponsored by Twellium Company Limited producers of Rush Energy Drink and Verna Mineral Water, Interplast, Hollard, FOX Cooling with supports from Tennis Foundation Ghana.