5 July 2016 | Tennis ACT

Canberra’s Ros Balodis has completed a clean sweep at the 36th Seniors World Championships in Helsinki, Finland.  After leading Australia to victory in the Maureen Connelly Cup, Balodis backed up to claim victory in the Women’s 55 Individual Singles and Doubles Championships.

Balodis headed into the championships as a strong favourite with an impressive six individual crowns to her name and the current world number one in her age group.  After breezing through her opening round without losing a game, she faced a tough test from America’s Vicki Buholz, winning a tight match 7-5, 6-4.  After posting a convincing quarter final win, she defeated Austria’s Ingrid Resch 6-3, 6-4 in the semis to set up a final against fellow Australian and double’s partner, Leanne Swaysland.  Balodis dominated the final, winning it without dropping a game.  Balodis then teamed up with Swaysland to take out the 55’s Women’s doubles title, over second seeds, Buholz and Susan Wright.

The previous week, Balodis led the Australian team to victory in the ITF Seniors Teams Maureen Connelly Cup event.  Joined by Swaysland, Wanda Howes, and Fiona Walker, the Australian team defeated top seeds the USA 2-1 in the semifinals, with Balodis winning both her singles and doubles.  In the final, Swaysland got Australia off to a great start against Italy taking the opening rubber in 3 sets.  Balodis then posted a 6-1, 6-3 victory to seal the title for the Australian’s.

Fellow Canberran, Narelle Raftery also performed strongly at the ITF World Individual and Teams Championships.  In the 50’s Women’s singles event, Raftery won through to the quarter finals before falling 6-1, 6-4 to 5th seed, Petra Doubusch from Germany.  She also combined with the USA’s Shelly Works to make the quarter of the 50’s doubles before going down to eventual champions and fellow Aussies Brenda Foster and Jill Meggs.  Raftery combined with Martin Warwick to also make the quarters of the mixed doubles.

In the Maria Ester Bueno teams event, Raftery joined Foster, Meggs, and Dianne Cassel to finish in 7th position