Treble for Sophie at Lanarkshire badminton championships
Sophie Mackay has scooped another treble success – this time at the Lanarkshire Under-13 and Under-17 Junior Open.
The 11-year-old from Dunnet was one of two Caithness junior badminton squad members who travelled to Glasgow for the championships. Also competing was Liam Sinclair (10), from Wick.
The singles were both played in groups, with the top players from the pools going into the main draw play-offs.
Sophie, number one seed for the U13 girls’ singles, didn’t drop a set in her pool, dropping only 43 points over six sets to secure a semi-final place.
Sophie took control from the start to beat Ava Li 21-14, 21-16. Her opponent in the final was Anvita Awasthi, with Sophie winning 21-14, 21-11.
Liam had two good wins in his U13 singles group, followed by a close-fought third game against the first seed – winning the first set 21-19, then losing 21-16, 21-12, but going through to the semi-finals where he played number two seed Saathvik Karthik Saravanan. Liam lost out 21-12, 21-12.
The level and mixed doubles were played in a round-robin format.
In the girls’ doubles, Sophie played with Anvita Awasthi and they won both their matches comfortably. They lost only 35 points over four sets as they secured the title.
Liam paired up with Luke Jobson in the boys’ doubles and they had two good matches but couldn’t secure a win, placing them third.
Sophie paired up with Yingfan Wang in the mixed doubles, while Liam played with Anvita Awasthi, and they both had three games to play.
Sophie and Yingfan didn’t drop a set, losing only 53 points over six sets. Liam and Anvita won one of their two matches, placing them third.
Kerry Mackenzie of Caithness Junior Badminton Club said: “Well done to all the players and organisers for putting on a great tournament. A huge well done to Sophie for winning the treble.
“Liam and Sophie are both progressing well.”
