The Bristol Open, originally known as the West of England Championships and the West of England Lawn Tennis Championships is a defunct tennis tournament that was originally hosted in Bath, Somerset, England, from 1881 till 1895. It was staged briefly in Bristol, England, in 1896, then from 1920 onwards was hosted again in Bristol annually until the tournament ceased in 1989. The tournament was played on grass courts in the weeks preceding the Wimbledon Championships usually June.

History

The West of England Championships were originally held in Bath from 1881 until 1895; the tournament then transferred to Bristol in 1896. In 1897 the event ceased for period of 24 years. It was reinstated in 1920 and was played in Bristol for the remainder of its run. At the start of the Open Era the tournament was part of the independent tour circuit. In 1971 the event was renamed the Bristol Open; the men's event became part of the World Championship Tennis tour and the women's was part of the International Grand Prix. The women's event stopped in 1973 and was not held again. Although the men's tournament also stopped in 1973, it was reinstated in 1980 and became part of the Grand Prix tennis circuit until 1989.

Finals

Notes: Challenge round: the final round of a tournament, in which the winner of a single-elimination phase faces the previous year's champion, who plays only that one match. The challenge round was used in the early history of tennis (from 1877 through 1921), in some tournaments not all.

Men's singles

YearChampionsRunners-upScore
West of England Championships
1881Ireland Ernest BrowneEngland C. K. Wood6–4, 6–2, 6–4
1882England George M. ButterworthEngland Alexander K. Butterworth6–4, 6–4
1883Ireland Ernest Browne (2)England Wilfred Milne6–3, 6–2, 6–3
1884England Pelham Von DonopEngland John C. Kay5–6, 6–5, 6–3
1885Ireland Ernest Browne (3)United States James Dwight6–3, 6–1, 6–4
1886United States James DwightEngland Harry Grove6–4, 6–3, 6–4
1887England Harry GroveUnited States James Dwight3–6, 6–4, 6–4, 6–2
1888United Kingdom Harry S. BarlowUnited Kingdom James Baldwin6–4, 6–3, 8–10, 3–6, 8–6
1889United Kingdom James BaldwinEngland Wilfred Milne7–5, 6–4, 6–4
1890United Kingdom Harry S. Barlow (2)United Kingdom James Baldwin7–5, 6–3, 6–2
1891United Kingdom Harry S. Barlow (3)United Kingdom James Baldwin2–6, 6–3, 6–4, 6–4
1895England Roy AllenIreland George Ball-Greene14–12, 6–4, 7–5
1896Ireland Harold MahonyUnited States William Larned6–3, 6–3, 6–2
1897–1919Not held (tournament is not staged for 24 years re-emerges after WW1)
1920New Zealand Francis FisherUnited Kingdom Frank Riseley5–7, 6–4, 6–2, 6–2
1921United Kingdom Sydney JacobNew Zealand Francis Fisher9–7, 6–2, 4–6, 6–0
1922South Africa Brian NortonUnited Kingdom Theodore Mavrogordato6–3, 6–3
1923South Africa Patrick WheatleyUnited Kingdom F. R. L. Crawford6–4, 6–3, 6–2
1924South Africa Jack CondonUnited Kingdom Frank Riseley7–5, 6–2, 8–6
1925United Kingdom Frank RiseleyUnited Kingdom J. G. Hogan6–3, 6–4
1927United Kingdom Sydney JacobIndia A. E. Browne6–3 6–2
1928Republic of Ireland Dennis O'CallaghanUnited Kingdom Sydney Jacob9–7, 5–7, 6–3
1929Republic of Ireland George Lyttleton-RogersUnited Kingdom E. B. N. Taylor6–1, 6–2
1930Republic of Ireland George Lyttleton-Rogers (2)United Kingdom George Godsell6–3, 3–6, 6–4
1931Republic of Ireland George Lyttleton-Rogers (3United Kingdom Nigel Sharpe6–2, 6–1, 7–5
1933Germany Daniel PrennNetherlands Hendrik Timmer6–2, 7–9, 6–4, 6–4
1934United Kingdom George GodsellUnited Kingdom Brian J. Sturgeon6–4, 0–6, 6–3, 6–4
1935United Kingdom Donald ButlerRepublic of Ireland George Lyttleton-Rogers8-,6 11–9, 9–7
1936New Zealand Cam MalfroyUnited Kingdom Robert Tinkler4–6, 6–0, 6–4, 6–4
1937New Zealand Alan StedmanRepublic of China (1912–1949) Kho Sin-Kie6–1, 1–6, 6–4
1938India Jimmy MehtaNew Zealand Cam Malfroy6–2, 6–3
1939United Kingdom Donald ButlerGermany Gottfried von Cramm6–4, 6–3, 1–6, 5–7, 8–6
1940–1945Not held (partly due to World War II)
1946Republic of China (1912–1949) Kho Sin-KiePoland Ignacy Tłoczyński6–4; 6–4
1947India Sumant MisraIndia Madan Atri Mohan6–4, 4–6, 6–2
1948South Africa Eric SturgessIndia Sumant Misra6–4, 2–6, 6–2, 6–4
1949Philippines Felicisimo AmponSouth Africa Syd Levy6–1, 6–2, 6–1
1950Egypt Jaroslav DrobnýCzechoslovakia Vladimír Černík6–3, 10–8
1951United States Straight ClarkUnited States Harold Burrows9–7, 3–6, 5–7, 6–1, 7–5
1952Egypt Jaroslav Drobný (2)Brazil Armando Vieira7–5, 6–1
1953United States Vic SeixasArgentina Enrique Morea6–3, 6–1, 8–6
1954Egypt Jaroslav Drobný (3)Australia Jack Arkinstallwalkover
1955Argentina Enrique MoreaUnited States Sidney Schwartz2–6, 10–8, 6–2, 6–2
1956Chile Luis AyalaSouth Africa Gordon Forbes6–2, 8–10, 6–4
1957Australia Lew HoadUnited Kingdom Roger Becker6–2, 6–3, 6–0
1958United States Mike DaviesIndia Ramanathan Krishnan6–1, 6–4, 7–9, 6–4
1959India Ramanathan KrishnanUnited Kingdom Jaroslav Drobný11–9, 6–0
1960United States Ronald HolmbergMexico Antonio Palafox6–3, 6–4
1961United States Chuck McKinleyAustralia Bob Mark6–3, 6–2, 6–4
1962Australia Fred StolleMexico Antonio Palafox6–3, 6–4
1963Australia Fred Stolle (2)United States Chuck McKinley6–3, 6–4
1964United States Chuck McKinleySouth Africa Frew McMillan6–4, 6–4, 6–2
1965United States Dennis RalstonUnited States Clark Graebner6–2 6–2
1966United States Cliff RicheyCanada Mike Belkin6–1, 6–3
1967Netherlands Tom OkkerSouth Africa Cliff Drysdale6–2, 5–7, 8–6
1968United States Arthur AsheUnited States Clark Graebner6–4, 6–3
↓ Open era ↓
West of England Open Championships
1969Australia Ken RosewallFrance Pierre Barthès8–10, 6–3, 6–1
1970Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Nikola PilićAustralia Rod Laver6–3, 1–6, 6–3
1971Australia Rod LaverSouth Africa Cliff Drysdalew.o.
Bristol Open
1972South Africa Bob HewittUnited States Alex Olmedo6–4, 6–3
1973–80Not held
1981Australia Mark EdmondsonUnited States Roscoe Tanner6–3, 5–7, 6–4
1982Australia John AlexanderUnited States Tim Mayotte6–3, 6–4
1983United States Johan KriekUnited States Tom Gullikson7–6, 7–5
1984United States Johan Kriek (2)United States Brian Teacher6–7, 7–6, 6–4
1985United States Martin DavisUnited States Glenn Layendecker4–6, 6–3, 7–5
1986India Vijay AmritrajFrance Henri Leconte7–6, 1–6, 8–6
1987New Zealand Kelly EverndenUnited States Tim Wilkison6–4, 7–6
1988West Germany Christian SaceanuIndia Ramesh Krishnan6–4, 2–6, 6–2
1989West Germany Eric JelenUnited Kingdom Nick Brown6–4, 3–6, 7–5

Women's singles

YearChampionsRunners-upScore
West of England Championships
1881England Gertrude GibbsEngland Annie Layard6–0, 7–5
1882England Fanny MorrisEngland Gertrude Gibbs6–4, 6–4
1883England Maud WatsonEngland N. Pope6–1, 6–2
1884England Edith DaviesIreland Lilian Cole6–4, 6–4
1885England Gertrude Gibbs (2)England Edith Davies2–6, 6–4, 6–0
1886England Lottie DodEngland Maud Watson7–5, 6–4
1887England Lottie Dod (2)England Maud Watson7–5, 6–4
1888England Lottie Dod (3)England N. Pope6–3, 6–0
1889Ireland Louisa MartinIreland Florence Stanuell4–6, 6–1, 6–2
1890Ireland Louisa Martin (2)England N. Pope6–3, 8–6
1891England N. PopeUnited Kingdom Mary Agg6–0, 7–5
1892–94Not held
1895United Kingdom Helen JacksonUnited Kingdom Madeline Fisher O'Neill6–1, 6–1
1896United Kingdom Charlotte CooperUnited Kingdom Ruth Dyas4–6, 7–5, 6–3
1899–1919Not held (then due to World War I)
1920United Kingdom Mabel PartonUnited Kingdom Doris Covell Craddock9–7, 6–8, 6–4
1921United Kingdom Phyllis HowkinsUnited Kingdom Doris Covell Craddock10–8, 6–2
1922United Kingdom Doris Covell CraddockUnited Kingdom Edith Boucher Hannam6–1, 6–1
1923United States Elizabeth RyanUnited Kingdom Doris Covell Craddock8–6, 6–3
1924United Kingdom Phyllis Howkins Covell (2)United Kingdom Joan Austin6–4, 6–3
1925United Kingdom Kathleen Lidderdale BridgeUnited Kingdom Doris Covell Craddock6–4, 1–6, 6–3
1926Not held
1927United Kingdom Mary McIlquhamUnited Kingdom Margaret McKane Stocks6–1, 6–1
1928United Kingdom Phyllis Howkins Covell (3)United Kingdom Betty Dix7–5, 6–1
1929United Kingdom Gethyn HarryUnited Kingdom Mrs Helen Boucher4–6, 6–1, 6–1
1930United Kingdom Kathleen Lidderdale BridgeUnited Kingdom Freda Scott6–1, 8–6
1931United Kingdom Doris EastleyUnited Kingdom Vera Montgomery3–6, 7–5, 6–3
1932Not held
1933United Kingdom Kay StammersUnited Kingdom Andrée Lucas6–2, 6–2
1934United Kingdom Andrée LucasUnited Kingdom Gethyn Harry6–2, 6–2
1935United Kingdom Gethyn Harry (2)United Kingdom Mona Riddell6–4, 4–6, 6–3
1936Denmark Hilde Krahwinkel SperlingUnited Kingdom Daphne White Birch6–2, 6–2
1937Chile Anita LizanaDenmark Hilde Krahwinkel Sperling?
1938United Kingdom Mona RiddellUnited Kingdom Gem Hoahing1–6, 6–3, 6–4
1939United Kingdom Diana WoodUnited Kingdom Joan Curry6–2, 8–10, 6–2
1940United Kingdom Kay Stammers MenziesUnited Kingdom Peggy Scriven8–10, 6–3, 6–3
1941–45Not held (partly due to World War II)
1946United Kingdom Joy Marriott HibbertUnited Kingdom Miss Moss3–6, 6–3, 6–2
1947United Kingdom Joan CurryUnited Kingdom Pam Seaton Bocquet6–4, 6–0
1948United Kingdom Joan Curry (2)United Kingdom Pam Seaton Bocquet6–2, 6–3
1949United Kingdom Joan Curry (3)United Kingdom Peggy McCorkindale3–6, 6–3, 9–7
1950United States Dorothy HeadCzechoslovakia Helena Straubeová6–3, 6–1
1951United States Beverly BakerSouth Africa Beryl Bartlett6–3; 6–3
1952United States Patricia Canning ToddSouth Africa Beryl Bartlett7–5, 6–2
1953United States Doris HartUnited Kingdom Angela Mortimer7–5, 6–3
1954United Kingdom Pat WardBermuda Heather Nicholls-Brewerdivided title
1955United States Doris Hart (2)United States Dorothy Head Knode6–1, 6–3
1956United States Althea GibsonAustralia Daphne Seeney6–2 10–8
1957United Kingdom Angela MortimerWest Germany Edda Buding7–5, 6–0
1958Brazil Maria BuenoUnited Kingdom Angela Mortimer6–0, 6–3
1959Brazil Maria Bueno (2)South Africa Sandra Reynolds6–4, 6–3
1960United Kingdom Deidre CattSouth Africa Renée Schuurman7–5, 7–5
1961South Africa Sandra ReynoldsUnited Kingdom Deidre Catt7–5, 10–8
1962Australia Margaret SmithBrazil Maria Bueno6–1, 3–6, 6–2
1963West Germany Edda BudingUnited Kingdom Elizabeth Starkie9–7, 6–3
1964United States Karen Hantze SusmanFrance Françoise Dürr6–8, 6–3, 6–3
1965United States Nancy RicheyUnited Kingdom Elizabeth Starkie7–5, 6–2
1966Netherlands Betty StöveArgentina Norma Baylon6–3, 7–5
1967Rhodesia Pat WalkdenUnited Kingdom Edda Buding0–6, 6–4, 6–3
1968Australia Kerry MelvilleAustralia Karen Krantzcke6–0, 6–1
↓ Open era ↓
West of England Open Championships
1969Australia Margaret Smith Court (2)United States Billie Jean Moffitt King6–3, 6–3
1970Australia Margaret Smith Court (3)France Françoise Dürr6–1, 6–1
1971Not held
Bristol Open
1972United States Billie Jean Moffitt KingAustralia Kerry Melville6–3, 6–2
1973–80Not held (women's tournament ends)

Men's doubles

YearChampionsRunners-upScore
1972South Africa Bob Hewitt South Africa Frew McMillanUnited States Clark Graebner Australia Lew Hoad6–3, 6–2
1973–80Not held
1981United States Billy Martin New Zealand Russell SimpsonUnited States John Austin South Africa Johan Kriek6–3, 4–6, 6–4
1982United States Tim Gullikson United States Tom GulliksonAustralia Mark Edmondson Australia Kim Warwick6–4, 7–6
1983Australia John Alexander Australia John FitzgeraldUnited States Tom Gullikson United States Johan Kriek7–5, 6–4
1984United States Larry Stefanki United States Robert Van't HofAustralia John Alexander Australia John Fitzgerald6–4, 5–7, 9–7
1985South Africa Eddie Edwards South Africa Danie VisserAustralia John Alexander New Zealand Russell Simpson6–4, 7–6
1986South Africa Christo Steyn South Africa Danie VisserAustralia Mark Edmondson Australia Wally Masur6–7, 7–6, 12–10
1987Not available
1988Australia Peter Doohan Australia Laurie WarderUnited States Marty Davis United States Tim Pawsat2–6, 6–4, 7–5
1989United States Paul Chamberlin United States Tim WilkisonUnited States Mike De Palmer United States Gary Donnelly7–6, 6–4

See also

External links

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