Dodd lands Sheffield crown
GARRY DODD may be out of the Island Championships loop for now but this did not stop him from enjoying an impressive success at the 81st Sheffield Closed from his new Sheffield base.
He won the singles of after taking down two highly-seeded opponents in straight sets in the closing rounds of the tournament, which unfolded at the city's English Institute of Sport venue.
Dodd had free passage to the round of 16 through his seeding as tournament No. 2, and he didn't look back as he worked his way towards a semifinal place.
There, the star left-hander managed to upset England No. 65 and defending Sheffield champion Jack Grant in straightforward fashion.
Going head-to-head with England No. 81 and eight-time past champion Stephen Horsfield in the final, Dodd kept his nerve and notched up another 3-0 win.
His doubles campaign wasn't quite as fruitful, occupying seed No. 4 alongside Zoltan Kulics and just about living up to his seeding by losing in the semi.
Dodd is now focused on the final round of Ravenscroft One's British League campaign this weekend, while next week's Island Championships are a key focus for the players currently residing in Guernsey.
'It was a good tournament in preparation of British League,' he said afterwards.
'I'm pleased to have won the singles as it will replace winning the Island Championships. It’s a bigger tournament with a slightly different format.'
