OLD Oratorian Nick Howell reached his first British Open real tennis final before going down to reigning world No. 1 Camden Riviere on Monday evening.

The number two seed began his campaign at Queen’s Club with a straight-sets (6-2, 6-1, 6-1) victory against current Oratory pro Claire Fahey, then recovering from a set down to defeat Robert Shenkman in the quarter-finals (3-6, 6-0, 6-1, 6-1).

Howell then proved too strong for Leon Smart (6-1, 6-2, 6-3) and began the final against Riviere well, taking the opening set 6-2.

However, the three-time world champion hit back to take the spoils, securing the next three sets 6-4, 6-0, 6-5 to rack up his seventh British Open title and third on the spin.

Howell and Smart also suffered diappointment in the doubles' final, losing 6-0, 6-0, 6-3 to Riviers and Tim Chisholm.

Fahey, meanwhile, cruised to a 12th win in the Women’s singles, beating Izzy Marshall 6-0, 6-1 before downing Tara Lumley 6-1, 6-2.

She also took the doubles honours with Sarah Vigrass, the duo defeating Lumley and Jess Garside 6-1, 6-1 in the final.