Braid women’s tennis captain Suzi Provan believes the team “have a target on our back” going into Saturday’s Scottish Cup final against a Newlands team who will enjoy home advantage.
After a couple of year’s as runners up Braid finally made the breakthrough last year against the same opposition and Suzi insists that playing as defending champions brings its own pressures.
“We are aware that Newlands will be looking to bring us down especially on their own courts but we will be prepared” says the captain who will be a stand-by reserve for a squad showing one change from 2025 as Irish recruit Grace O’Reilly comes in for Sophia Okusawa who, having completed a university course in the Capital, has returned to Japan.
“Official rankings produced by Tennis Scotland determine that I am the one to sit out but Grace is a very solid, hard-hitting player” says Suzie.
To reach the final which has to be played in Glasgow due to requirements stating the match must be played at a club with six courts all of the same surface to accommodate the men’s showpiece as well and having appropriate off court facilities Braid overcame Giffnock, Hillhead and then Western without dropping a set.
Originally the finals were to be played at Whitecraigs under a three year arrangement but they are now refurbishing their clubhouse.
Pictured, left to right, are the champions’ squad: Eva Vrhunec, Mhairi Beattie, Suzie Provan, Grace O’Reilly, Lucy Davies of team sponsor Stone Fired Pizza, Heather Croll, Emily Gates and Sarah McFadyen.
- The men’s final is between Thorn Park and Newlands.
