Charnwood Tennis Club came through a tricky test against former winners Melton Mowbray in Leicestershire's mixed doubles knockout competition, The Mercury Cup, at the weekend.
Charnwood were able to field a strong team, with former county champion Rob Leck travelling from London to spearhead their effort.
Leck was partnered by Holly Cheeseman, while club coach and former county player James Ison played with Emily Rodbourne.
Completing the lineup was county junior boys' doubles champion Ashton Zaranyika, playing with another strong hitter, Anna Randall.
In the first round of matches, Leck and Cheeseman were untroubled by Jake Beagle and Ellie Sorsky, winning 6-0, 6-1.
Ison and Rodbourne started well against Ryan Parmar and Charlie Griffin, but were ultimately beaten in a deciding tie-break 4-6, 6-2, 10-6, while Zaranyika and Randall were also defeated in a tie-break, 6-2, 1-6, 10-5, by James and Jessica Rowe.
Surprisingly, therefore, Charnwood found themselves 2-1 down after the first round.
Charnwood turn around early deficit
In the second round of matches, Leck and Cheeseman took the first set comfortably against the Rowes, but a tactical change from their opponents in the second set saw them edge the second set, and a major shock was briefly on the cards.
This was actually the first set that Leck had ever lost in the Mercury Cup, and was certainly not in the script.
However, the Charnwood pair were able to steady the ship, and triumphed 6-1, 4-6, 10-6.
Ison and Rodbourne outclassed Beagle and Sorsky 6-0, 6-1, but Zaranyika and Randall were beaten 6-2, 6-2 by Parmar and Griffin to level the tie at 3-3 going into the final round.
Cheeseman showed her top form in the final round, as she and Leck dominated Parmar and Griffin to win 6-3, 6-2.
Ison and Rodbourne were also commanding, beating the Rowes 6-0, 6-2, while Zaranyika and Randall completed the clean sweep of third rubbers, defeating Beagle and Sorsky 6-3, 6-3.
These results meant Charnwood clinched a 6-3 overall victory and will go on to face either The Leicestershire Club or or Leicester Forest East.