Lenzie tennis star Lumsden wins world event with Team GB

Lenzie tennis player Maia Lumsden has rounded off her year in style by helping Team GB lift the world's leading university team event.
Maia Lumsden helped Team GB win the BNP Paribas Master'U title in Lille (pic by Etienne Jeanneret)Maia Lumsden helped Team GB win the BNP Paribas Master'U title in Lille (pic by Etienne Jeanneret)
Maia Lumsden helped Team GB win the BNP Paribas Master'U title in Lille (pic by Etienne Jeanneret)

The 19-year-old played a crucial role in helping Britain beat the United States 4-2 in the final of the BNP Paribas Master’U championship in Lille.

The Americans were going for their seventh consecutive title straight.

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But with an intense final poised at 1-1 Maia defeated her American opponent Ashley Lahey in a thriller, holding her nerve in two tie breaks to win 7-6 7-6, and pave the way for the Brits to lift the trophy with a 4-2 success.

Maia Lumsden celebrates with her team-mates after their win over the USA (pic by Etienne Jeanneret)Maia Lumsden celebrates with her team-mates after their win over the USA (pic by Etienne Jeanneret)
Maia Lumsden celebrates with her team-mates after their win over the USA (pic by Etienne Jeanneret)

Maia was one of three University of Stirling tennis scholars - along with teammates Scott Duncan and Jonny O’Mara - who were part of the first ever group of British players to bring home the gold after their victory at the Ligue des Flandres de Tennis.

It was a dominant display from start to finish from the Brits as they defeated Ireland 6-1 and China 7-0.

Sports studies student Maia said: “It’s been an amazing few days with unforgettable experiences on and off the court.”

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The Lille success caps a fine year for the Lenzie who has lifted two singles and three doubles titles on the ITF circuit in 2017 and has risen to a career high singles ranking of 527, up almost 200 places from the end of 2016.

Maia Lumsden celebrates with her team-mates after their win over the USA (pic by Etienne Jeanneret)Maia Lumsden celebrates with her team-mates after their win over the USA (pic by Etienne Jeanneret)
Maia Lumsden celebrates with her team-mates after their win over the USA (pic by Etienne Jeanneret)

Team captain Alistair Higham, who is also Universities Manager at the Tennis Foundation, said afterwards: “It was an incredible day with the whole team contributing to a magnificent victory.

“Defeating the USA team with the best of the US College system including former US Open Champion and their No 1 ranked girl and No 1 ranked boy was very special.

“The team spirit we have is second to none and the players found levels of performance and mental strength required to defeat the champions of six years in a row. This has been the result of a lot of hard work and investment behind the scenes from the Tennis Foundation for the past six years.”

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Cathy Gallagher, Director of Sport at the University of Stirling, added: “It is an absolutely fantastic result for everyone involved and we’re particularly delighted for our Stirling athletes who proved yet again that they can consistently deliver at the very top.

“Our High Performance Tennis Coaching team led by Euan McGinn, is doing a wonderful job with the programme and the recent medals and titles show the impact they are having on the students. We want all of our athletes to reach their potential and enjoy experiences like Scott, Maia and Jonny have in Lille and working closely with Tennis Scotland, we will carry on providing the best possible performance environment for them to develop.”

The Tennis Foundation is Great Britain’s leading tennis charity, supporting University tennis via numerous methods including: generating the future tennis workforce; providing support to get more students playing tennis; offering enhanced support for institutions engaged in a broader programme of tennis provision and supporting the sharp end of performance.

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