TORTON tennis ace Lewis Barnes has high hopes for his team's performance in the U16 European Winter Cup finals.

The 15-year-old is a member of a three-player GB Team completing in the finals, which start tomorrow, (February 24) in Prague, Czech Republic.

Barnes and his team members Dan Evans and Marcus Willis reached the final eight last week after beating Italy on their own soil to win their group.

He played the first singles match of the tie, beating Marco Speronello 6-3, 6-4, Evans won his match against Davide Della Tommasina 6-4, 6-3 and the Italian side won the doubles.

The GB Team will be seeded in the finals and joined by seeded sides France, Germany and Russia as well as the Netherlands, Czech Republic, Slovenia and Italy.

Barnes said: "It's great. We can't wait for it. We did well to qualify and we're going to give it a good go in the final.

"We are fairly confident we can win the whole thing but its going to be tough. France are the strongest opposition but then they are all good."

The team has been training in Loughborough together in preparation for the Winter Cup for three months and Barnes said it had been a "relief" to finally start playing.

Barnes has been at the LTA Tennis Academy at Loughborough University for four years and is coached by the team's captain Mark Taylor.

He added: "We've got the U16 World Cup in the summer in Barcelona. I think that will be the highlight."

The tennis star, who has a 120mph serve, is currently sponsored by Fred Perry and Wilson and is looking for sponsorship to help support his tennis programme from next September. Anyone interested can contact n.m.barnes.bham.ac.uk

Youngsters can try the sport at Kidderminster Tennis Club's Saturday Mini Tennis sessions.

There is a free taster on March 4.

The sessions will run from 9am to noon at the club in Baxter Gardens and are open to children aged between four and 10.

Ring 07774 693721 for more information.