MATT Pearce surged through to the final of the touchtennis Maidstone Open but was unable to find a way past world number one Simon Roberts.

Pearce was one of nine players from the Southend based Essex Storm club to descent on Kent for the latest tour event.

And the world number two was thrilled to make another final.

“It was a great event and from my own point of view it was nice to get to the final,” said Pearce, who is from Thorpe Bay.

“The first set between us was quite close and at 3-2 up I was serving to win it.

“But after that he decided to not miss many more balls from that point onwards.

“He’s very solid and unfortunately I couldn’t find a way to beat him.”

Echo:

Luke Mayes made the last eight

Pearce’s Essex Storm team-mate Luke Mayes worked his way through to the quarter finals, alongside Nick Bohringer who also worked his way into the last eight at the Maidstone Tennis Academy at Freedom Fitness.