2008 Australian Tennis Seniors Championships – Wodonga

17-Feb-2008  - Robyn Castle

Well, they were right! The weather was fine. No heat stress for the players this year. The temperatures kept below the 35 mark. Check out the “CAT” website for more details: www.92computing.com

The Teams’ week was fun for all, as usual, although there had been rain, which delayed the start. The grass was a little spongy, as a result, but the curator did a fine job preparing the courts every day for the whole 2 weeks and they only got better.  Click here for more details on the Teams Week in Wodonga.

There is still some controversy surrounding the format, whether the teams should be re-grouped after the first round in order to create a Finals’ draw. Some teams had fewer matches, and they weren’t happy to travel so far to play only 6. Some fine-tuning may be needed, to cater for those who might otherwise miss out on some matches. It is a tough job to please everyone. (Some say, impossible.)

In the Individuals, most of the Men’s and Women’s Doubles and Mixed were finalised on Thursday, allowing the players to catch the Singles action on Friday.

The South Australian 35+ “boys” Martin & Rino had success again in the Final, defeating Paul Kleverlaan & Brendon Rose, in straight sets, 6/3 6/2. The 40s was won by Chris O’Mara and Andrew Schuelke, 6/3 6/2, against the Queenslanders Bradley Hubbard and Michael Russell. Roger Grant and Shane Smedley held off a determined effort by the new combination of Warren McGregor (VIC) and Tony Golding (NSW) being down 5/2 in the first. They broke serve twice, then went to a tie-break. The second was also close, but they held on to win it 6/4. Tony Luttrell (WA) paired with Glenn Busby in the 50s, and had to fight back from losing the 2^nd set 6/2 after winning the first in a tie break. Mike Ford (QLD) and Steve Packham (VIC) really made them work for a third set 6/4. In the 55+  Victorians Russell Watts and Andrew Rae were untroubled by John Deane (NSW) and Russell Hart (VIC), taking the match 6/2 6/0. The 60+ was taken out once again, by Victorians Terry Smith & Graham Wurtz, defeating the QLD pair, Terry McLellan and Lee Taylor, 6/3 6/7 6/2. Alan Walsh and Dennis Bindon were too strong for SA’s Bruce Rehn and Brian Dew, winning 6/3 6/2. Peter Froelich and John Powless defeated Ian King and Tony Harkin, 6/3 6/3 in the 70+. In the 75+ Graham Brown and Alan Hocking struggled with Max Byrne and Nev Langford, winning a dour contest, 2/6 6/4 7/5. 80+ Doug Corbett (NSW) and Ward Hillier (VIC), played superior tennis to take out the round robin with 3 wins to 2.

Four Combined age Men’s Doubles including 120, 130, 140 and 150, saw the players producing some classy tennis with NSW “city” Mick Bruton and Gary Thoroughgood overcoming the NSW “country” pair of John Cameron and Robert Haling. Tony Harkin (NSW) and Kevin Crump (Qld) went down to the two Americans, John Powless and Chauncey Steele, 6/4 6/4. Qld’s Graham Brown and Alan Hocking emerged victorious from a tight contest with Max Byrne and Nev Langford, 7/5 7/6.

NSW pair Margaret Wayte and Robyn Castle made it three in a row, with 3 wins to 2 in the Women’s Combined 120s, from Judith Rodins and Donna Walker (Qld). Margaret Harrigan (ACT)  and Joy Rigter (QLD) were successful in the 130s, 3 wins to 2 over Loretta (Smith) Funnell (NSW) and Pam Smith (WA).

Men’s Singles

On Friday, in the Super Seniors, 80+, Doug Corbett (NSW) was kept out there for three sets by Ward Hillier (VIC), in another exciting encounter, which Doug won 3/6 6/3 6/4. (They have played each other 12 times, 10 of which have been 3-setters). John Powless (USA) was too strong for John O’Brien (NSW) in the 75+, winning with comparative ease, 6/1 6/3. In the 70+, Peter Froelich (QLD), prevailed against Ian King (NSW) in straight sets, 6/3 7/6. The 65’s Final was a topsy turvy affair, with Alan Walsh (NSW) and Bob Howes (VIC) battling it out in a 3-setter - a win to Alan, 1/6 6/0 6/4. In the 60’s, Gary Penberthy (WA), tried to outdo his effort in Perth playing this time against Peter Keller (VIC) in a match that lasted over 3 hours - the result, Penberthy, 6/7 6/2 7/6 (both players had match points go begging).

Andrew Rae  (VIC),  World #1, disposed of Ken Wurtz (VIC) in the 55+, winning in straight sets, 6/3 6/3.  The 50s went to World #2 Glenn Busby, over Michael Collins (VIC) 6/2 6/0, after Glenn had “scraped through” in his Semi against Steve Packham 4/6 7/6 7/6. What a match! The 45s was a dour struggle between Roger Grant (WA) and Peter Dellavedova (VIC), which Roger managed to win 5/7 6/2 7/6. In the 40+ Chris O’Mara (QLD) held onto the 2^nd set to take the match 6/1 7/5 against Rodney Wilson (VIC). Meanwhile, NSW’s Brendon Rose outclassed doubles specialist Martin Richards (SA) 6/2 6/4, securing his spot in the team for Turkey.

Women’s Singles

The 40+ was the youngest in the competition, with the Final won by Sue Woodward (NSW) over Natalie Cutcliffe (NSW) after both had had 3-set Semis, Natalie defeating Fairlie Lamond and Sue having a cliff-hanger with Narelle Follington to win 7/6 in the third. World #2 in the 45s, Brenda Foster (NSW) had a decisive win over Wanda Clothier (VIC), after both had won their R/R group. Ros Balodis, in the 50+ made it look easy when she disposed of Lyn Mortimer 6/2 6/2. How does she do it? In her last year of the 55s, an in-form Kerry Ballard defeated Connolly Cup team mate, Helen Worland 7/6 6/3, after having to play her other team mate, Adrienne, in a three set struggle in the R/R. It was a disappointment when Carol Campling had to forfeit the 60 Final to Liz Allan, through illness, in what was anticipated to be a “great match”. Heather McKay repeated her 2007 performance with another win over Linda Pengelly, 6/0 6/3.

Sue Woodward (NSW and Natalie Cutcliffe (NSW)	Lesley Heumiller (NSW) and Nola Collins (VIC)

The 65s had two round robin groups, which brought Lesley  Heumiller and Nola Collins together in a super match-up for the trophy. Nola took the first set, but Lesley fought back to take it in three, 5/7 6/4 6/2. Eight women were drawn in a knockout in the 75/80s with NSW’s Peg Hoysted making the final against her friend and doubles partner from WA, Margaret Robinson. The pair had met before in an ITF World Singles Final. Peg made a better account of herself this time, only going down 6/4 6/2. Both ladies are in the team for Turkey!

The Mixed Doubles winners were, 35+ Narelle Follington (NSW) & Martin Richards (SA) – (for the 2^nd year running), over Natalie Cutcliffe (NSW) & Chris O’Mara (VIC) when Natalie and Chris had won the first set 6/0, they came back to win a tie breaker in the 2^nd and 6/3 in the third. Peter Dellavedova (VIC) and Brenda Foster (NSW) won the 45+ against NZ pair Peter Hampton and Felicity Oxnevad, 6/4 6/3. The 50+ went to ACT’s Colin Holgate and Ros Balodis who beat all pairs in the Round Robin. Victorians Russell Hart and Sue Walter proved too strong for defending Champs, Denis Colette & Adrienne Avis (NSW), taking the title 6/1 6/2. In the over-60s, Carol Campling & Don McIndoe (NSW) once again took the Gold, defeating Lee Taylor (QLD) and Bev Eddington (NSW). Bruce Burns & Margaret Wayte (both NSW) in yet another excellent display, took the 65+ title, defeating Tom Downie (VIC) and Helen Muir (WA), 6/1 6/1. John Davis and Lesley Heumiller won the 70+ with 3 wins to 2. Ian King (NSW) and Joyce Rogers (VIC) had to settle for 2^nd place. In the 75+ Round Robin, Doug Corbett (NSW) and Margaret Robinson (WA) had 3 wins to 2 over Les Hodson (QLD) and Pat Ubrihien (NSW).

Colin Holgate (ACT) and Ros Balodis (ACT)

CONSOLATION winners were:

Robyn Castle, Publicity.