JORDAN McCulloch made a brave but ultimately unsuccessful attempt to win the Daily Telegraph Junior Grand Prix in the sporting paradise of La Manga.

The 15-year-old, from Little Sutton reached the semi-final stage but was then knocked out the eventual winner of the under 16s section, Matthew Pearce.

Jordan's dad Steve said: 'He expected to make the final.

'He has played a lot this summer and perhaps there was a little fatigue but it is the same for everyone.'

Jordan qualified for the event after amassing points by taking part in some of the 73 Junior Grand Prix affiliated tournaments and reaching at least the quarter finals.

The Whitby High School pupil made it into the top 10 for his age group to earn the all-expenses paid trip to Spain for the finals.

Previous winners of the competition include Great Britain Davis Cup player and current British number three Alex Bogdanovic and it is a well respected tournament in youth tennis.

Rising star McCulloch is ranked fifth in Britain at U16 level and 68th at U18. In the British men's open-age standings, he is ranked 631st.

The boy who knocked him out, Pearce, has been in good form but is still ranked 28th in the U16s.

'Pearce is a good player and Jordan wanted to meet him in the final but you have to beat him eventually anyway and it was a great match,' added Jordan's dad Steve.

'Jordan had two match points to win it but he failed to take them and Pearce won with a good passing shot that Jordan just couldn't get to.'

Jordan was then betaen in the a third/fourth place play-off match but he has the chance to bounce next week in Bolton in the Aerial Lancashire U18s County Tournament.

'There is no real rest or winter break, tennis is an all-year-round sport,' said Steve.

'He will be playing over Christmas as he has a competition on December 27 and 28.

'The schedule is gruelling but he is determined to keep going and improving his ranking and that means taking part in these tournaments.

'Competing over two age groups is also a challenge but it is one which so far he is dealing with very well.'