© Federico Coppini
The 23-year-old Philip Henning has been a player to beat in Sharm ElSheik in the previous two weeks. The Coppini Tennis Academy star claimed the M15 Futures title last week and will seek another on Sunday following a tight semi-final win.
Henning prevailed over the 17-year-old Tomasz Berkieta 7-5, 7-6 in an hour and 39 minutes for his fourth Futures final since last October, all in Sharm ElSheik. A teenager grabbed only four games against Henning last week.
He raised his level in this one and stayed competitive from start to finish. However, Philip claimed the pivotal points and sealed the deal in straight sets, notching his tenth consecutive victory. Berkieta fired 13 aces.
However, Henning produced more efficient numbers behind the first and second serve, denying all three break points and claiming one break in the closing stages of the opener.
Tomasz led 3-2 in the tie break of the second set before Philip notched five straight points and sealed the deal in style. Interestingly, Henning faced three break points in the first game of the match. He denied them and served well in the rest of the duel, keeping the pressure on his young opponent.
Berkieta fired two aces in game four for 2-2 before Henning held at love in the next one with another booming initial shot. The servers were too strong in the upcoming games, and the Pole created a slim chance in game nine after reaching deuce.
Philip Henning has won ten straight matches.
The South African remained focused, closing the game and opening a 5-4 advantage. Tomasz served to stay in the set in game ten, holding after deuce and extending the drama. Henning closed the 11th game at love and pushed strong on the return in the next one.
Berkieta faced two set points, defending the first with an ace but falling on the second, sending the 5th seed 7-5 in front after 46 minutes. Two rivals served well early in the second set, with no issues until 4-4
Henning came from 15-30 in the ninth game and held after deuce for a 5-4 advantage.
Tomasz landed two aces while serving to stay in the match in game ten, prolonging the battle and his chances. They delivered fine holds in games 11 and 12, introducing a tie break. Berkieta grabbed a mini-break in the fifth point, moving 3-2 in front.
However, Henning responded strongly, clinching five points in a row and taking the breaker 7-3 to book a place in the title clash. Philip will face the home player Fares Zakaria in Sunday’s final, seeking his third Futures crown and the second in a row.
