TENNIS ace Tracey Powell claimed a new record after winning the Hereford and Worcester County Closed Championships ladies' singles title for an eighth time.

The 27-year-old from Bromyard defeated Pauline Fisher in straight sets 6-1, 6-2 to become the outright holder from Jane Poynder.

Powell, who coaches at Bewdley Tennis Club, was only denied a hat-trick of wins at the Manor Park event when she and partner Jim Sylvester narrowly lost 7-5, 7-7 to husband and wife duo Mark and Laura Siviter in the mixed doubles final.

She had also triumphed in the ladies doubles final with partner Elizabeth Veal who defeated mother and daughter team Pauline and Katherine Fisher 6-3, 6-2.

Perfect

"It was almost a perfect day but we just slipped up in the mixed," she said.

"We were 6-5 up in the tie break and I thought I'd hit a winning volley but it just missed the line."

Apart from that it was a satisfying day for Powell, who at one time was ranked number four best women's player in England, and her singles title was her sixth consecutive victory in the final.

She has never dropped a set in a singles' final and intends to play on until someone beats her though Powell has some way to go to equal Phil Siviter, who won the men's singles title 21 years in a row.

"If I did beat it I think it might get a place in the Guinness Book of Records," she said.

In the men's singles Colin Bennett secured his fifth victory after beating Tim Badshaw 6-1,7-5 while brothers Mark and Paul Siviter beat David and Kevin Grainger 6-4,7-6.

In the veterans over 45s Roy Halfpenny beat Dennis Wyatt 6-2,6-0 but Wyatt returned to enjoy success in the men's doubles over 45s round robin with partner John Rance.

The ladies 40 plus title was won by Jo Watson who defeated Dee Smith 6-3, 6-2.

In the 50 plus the busy Pauline Fisher showed plenty of resiliance and energy to beat Jenny Ellerton 7-6, 6-2 while the men's 55 plus was won by Nick Hall who ran out a 6-3, 6-3 winner against Terry Round.

Dee Smith and Jackie Burton doubled up to take the ladies veterans 40 plus title with a 6-1, 6-2 victory over Pauline Fisher and Jo Watson.

In the men's veterans 55 plus Nick Hall and Malcolm Dick beat Roger Davies and Terry Brown 6-1, 6-1.