Dedication to tennis prompted top York singles player Steve Smith to give up the chance of attending the World Cup final in favour of a mixed doubles match in York.

Steve, who has won the Evening Press trophy for the York men's singles title six times, the men's doubles three times and the mixed doubles once, could have attended the final through his work with Nestl in York.

But he decided to give the possible opportunity a miss because he had arranged to play with Tamsin Bush in the York Municipal Tennis championships at the University of York.

"I would have been letting down my partner if I had gone to France, although I must say I might have pushed a bit harder for a ticket if England had got through to the finals," he said.

Steve, who is advertising manager for the confectionery and ice cream section at Nestl, went to watch England beat Tunisia 2-0 in the early round of the World Cup in Marseilles, but only got there with two minutes to spare.

"We were delayed at Gatwick and eventually got to Marseilles 45 minutes before the kick-off.''

Smith, who retired from the men's singles last year after winning for a record six times, lost in the second round of the mixed doubles with Tamsin Bush on Sunday evening - but was then able to watch the World Cup final on television.

He is favourite to retain the men's doubles title with Andy Cooke and will be playing in the semi-finals tonight.

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