31 January 2013 | Tennis Queensland

The Tennis Brisbane Chargers have been crowned the third best Asia Pacific Tennis League franchise in the region after the completion of matches of the finals at Melbourne Park. After a tough semi-final loss to the Liston Seagulls, the Chargers proved too strong for the third seeded New Zealand Kauri’s winning four rubbers to two.

John Millman got the team off to a great start defeating New Zealand number one, Daniel King-Turner in a hard fought match 4-3 1-4 4-1. Millman’s counter-punching style was tested throughout the match by the net-rushing Kiwi however proved too strong in the decisive third set.

The Chargers increased their advantage to 2-0 when team veteran Robert Smeets defeated the Kauris Artem Sitak 1-4 4-1 4-2. After a fast start from Sitak, Smeets found his rhythm on his groundstrokes winning the majority of long points to close out the match.

Joel Lindner re-paid the faith for his selection in the singles lineup with a decisive 4-3 4-0 victory over Marcus Daniell. It was the left handed Lindner’s first match of singles for the event but he was in great touch throughout the match. His booming serve coupled with a big forehand proved too much for the Kauri’s Daniell.

The Kauri’s pulled one match back when Davis Cupper Michael Venus defeated Chargers number two Michael Look 4-2 4-2. Venus played a very aggressive match going for forehand groundstroke winners from the outset. The win kept the Kauri’s in the tie however the Chargers lead three matches to one heading into the doubles.

Victory was secured for the Chargers when brothers in law Smeets and Millman combined to defeat Sitak and Daniell 4-3 3-4 10-7. The Chargers trailled 6-3 in the deciding match tie-break but stormed home to win 10-7. The tie finished four rubbers to two after King Turner and Venus defeated the Chargers team of Gavin van Peperzeel and Lindner 2-4 4-2 10-8 in the final match.

The Chargers finished in third position out of eight finalists behind the Liston Seagulls and ATP Sydney. This is a great result for the team in it’s inaugural year and an exciting preview to what the Chargers team may offer at the QLD conference event in November. The team not only defied their seeding of four but played a great brand of team tennis along the way.

For full results from the event please visit www.tennis.com.au/competitions/atl