24 January 2013 | Tennis Queensland

Thursday night will see the top 2 men’s and top 2 women’s teams play off for the inaugural Asia-  Pacific Tennis League titles. 

On the men’s side the Liston Seagulls led by Sam Groth disposed of the Brisbane Chargers 4-0 (at the conclusion of the singles and time of this release). The much anticipated Sam Groth (Seagulls) and John Millman (Chargers) match lived up to the hype with Millman having 2 match points before going down 4-0 in the third set to Groth. 

In the other semi-final the ATP Sydney team defeated the New Zealand Kauris 4-2 in an entertaining affair. ATP Sydney took 3 of the 4 singles with the only loss inflicted on ATP Sydney by the Kauris with Greg Jones (Sydney) going down 0-4, 4-2 and 4-3 to experienced NZ player Mike Venus. 

On the women’s side the Asia-Pacific Institute Steelers defeated the New Zealand Tuis 4-2 with the Steelers taking a clean sweep of the singles. Although the Tuis lost to the fancies Steelers 4-2, three of the four singles matches went to three sets with Steelers proving the more experienced team. 

In the other women’s semi-final, the Flagstaff Freighters proved too strong for theWA Giants with the Freighters taking the match 4-2. In the match of the night Brooke Rishbieth defeated Kate O’Shea by winning the deciding point at 4-4 in the third set tiebreak. Rishbeith’s singles win proved the difference in a match that could have gone anyway. 

Tomorrow’s final will see the Liston Seagulls (Vic) take on the ATP Sydney (NSW) team on the men’s side and the Flagstaff Freighters (SA) line-up against the Asia-Pacific Institute Steelers (NSW) on the women’s side. 

The finals will start at 5pm Thursday 24th of January at Melbourne Park.

For more information about the Asia-Pacific Tennis League (ATL) final please visit http://www.tennis.com.au/competitions/asia-pacific-tennis-league or contact: 

Alistair MacDonald 0401 640 169
David Hearne 0405 345 437