Our “Turkish Delight” returns.

18-Oct-2008

Club Ali Bey in Antalya, Turkey is once again an excellent host for the Tennis Seniors’ Teams’ Championships, and the Aussies are having some good results.   At Belek, there are 6 teams – Men’s 50s, 60s and 70s, and Women’s 50s, 55s and 60s.

Play began on Sunday, with some heart-stopping moments throughout.   Monday and Tuesday saw the Women’s teams victorious, all qualifying to compete in the Semis. The 55s scored a sensational upset over #2 seeds the Netherlands, who had their World #1 in top form. With the Singles at 1-all, and light rain falling, the Aussie girls led 5-1 in the first set Doubles, only to be taken to a thrilling Tie breaker which they eventually won 10 points to 8. They secured a win in straight sets, (7-6, 6-3). On Wednesday they completed an undefeated performance in their round robin group with a win over Norway. The 50s have a bye, and the 60s will play South Africa, which will certainly be a tough battle.

Australian Womens group - 17th October

The Men’s teams had mixed results, with the 50s looking good until they lost the services of #2 Singles man, Mike Ford, on Monday, who was leading 1 set to love and sailing though. Mike pulled a muscle and had to forfeit the match. Glenn Busby won his and he paired with Bruce Osborne to win the Doubles. Bruce Osborne became our No 2 Singles player, and won one match, but they went down to the superior French team on Wednesday. Glenn Busby was upset by the French #2, 4-6, 6-1, 4-6, to make it 2-0 down.

The 60s came back from a loss on Monday to win their next 2 matches, and place them in the playoff for 9th -16th.

The 70s (defending champions) suffered a disappointing loss to Austria on Wednesday, after Ian MacDonald set up a 1-0 lead in the Singles. Ian King could not hold his lead in the first set, and went down in straight sets. The Doubles went to Austria.

Doug and Ward - our 80 Mens Doubles heroes

In Manavgat there were some upsets, too. Checking out the scene there on Thursday, I watched some scintillating Doubles by our 55 Men’s pair, Andrew Rae and Max Bates, down one set to love, but who eventually took the third and deciding set in their match against Austria.

Our Ladies in 75s, Margaret Robinson and Shirley Whittaker lost their Doubles decider to the top USA team, (Shirley is playing in place of the injured Peg Hoysted) and our 70s pair Nola Collins and Lesley Heumiller lost a thrilling 3rd set Tie break against arch-rivals South Africa, 7/6 (5).

To finish the day, I witnessed perhaps the best Men’s Singles match in Seniors by our # 2, Martin Richards, who defeated the Turkish #2 in a magnificent display of power serves and returns.  After 4 service breaks to start the third set, Martin held, then broke again to secure a win, 7/5.  Brendon Rose was leading one set to love, when I had to depart. What a day!  The team is set to come in the top ten at least! Well done guys! (Surprise in this Cup was the departure of the crack #1 seeds, Spain, who are out of the top four). Brendon Rose in action

On returning to Belek, I discovered that our Women’s teams had won, with two of them having to play a doubles decider. Legendary Aussie Doubles!

A Final on Friday, for our Bueno Cup (W50) team, but it’s a silver medal this year. The team from USA ‘turned on the heat’, taking the first match from Lyn Mortimer in straight sets, and although Ros Balodis recovered in the second set to take the Tie breaker, after being down two match points, she conceded the third set 6/1. We took the Doubles in our inimitable Australian style. Let’s hope the girls will get revenge next week in the Individuals. We are proud of your efforts against such a determined United States team!

Saturday sees another Final – in the Maureen Connolly Cup (W55), when Kerry, Adrienne and Helen take on yet another strong USA team. Our 60s team will play off in the Marble Cup for 3rd/4th against Germany.

Our Marble Cup team of D Leavens, C Campling, L Griffith, K Tulloch

Good luck everyone, and there are two Finals in Manavgat, our M55s and M80s.

R Castle