EXETER Tennis Centre's Jack Findel-Hawkins has been crowned national 18-and-under tennis masters champion.

The 17-year-old, who trains at the University of Exeter's tennis centre under the guidance of Will McNally, followed up his wins in Bolton and Welwyn Garden City with a third national winter event win out of three.

The masters event saw the top 16 juniors in the UK invited to compete for the title at the national tennis centre in Roehampton

Findel-Hawkins took on Nick Jones in the final and played some of his finest tennis to win 6-3, 6-0.

On his way to the final, Findel-Hawkins beat David Fox 6-1, 6-2, Robert Mitchel 6-3, 6-3 in the quarter-finals and Sam Butler – who had never beaten the Devonian – 6-2, 7-5 in the semis.

Findel-Hawkins said: "To win the winter masters is a great achievement. Having all my hard work on and off the court come together so well in such a high-pressured event is fantastic.

"Every part of my game had to be on top form and I enjoyed every second competing in Roehampton.

"To win the winter masters at only 17 with still another year left in junior tennis really replicates the hard work I have put in over these last few months.

"With my dream still to grace the courts at Wimbledon and become a professional tennis player, hopefully this has helped me get that step closer."

Findel-Hawkins' next event is the men's British tour held at the University of Exeter from February 23 until 28.

Entry is free. For further details of the event visit www.exeter.ac.uk/sport/exetertenniscentre.