23 November 2015 | Tennis Queensland

It’s been an exciting first weekend for the Asia-Pacific Tennis League (ATL) North Conference with the Brisbane Sharks sitting on top spot of the ladder in both the men’s and women’s leagues.

Friday

Round one at the Queensland Tennis Centre on Friday night saw Beenleigh Blaze star Alicia Smith cause a big upset over number one Brisbane Sharks player Priscilla Hon winning in a third set tiebreak. The Sharks proved too strong in the end,  winning the close encounter against their rivals 4-2.

In the men’s tie, it was extremely close again with rising star Oliver Anderson winning a tight battle for the Sharks against Beenleigh Blaze opponent Brendon Moore in three sets 1-4, 4-1, 4-2.

First time ATL player Blake Ellis, proved he will be one to watch this year with his sublime win 4-0, 4-0 over Michael Look with fellow Tennis Brisbane Chargers team mates Adam Walton and Joel Lindner showing they were also too good for their Tennyson Volt opponents winning comfortably 4-1, 4-3 and 4-2, 4-2 respectively. The defending ATL mens champions Tennis Brisbane Chargers prevailed winning four matches to two in the end.

Saturday

After defeating the Beenleigh Blaze 4-2 on Friday night, the Brisbane Sharks were more than ready to take on the Brisbane Chargers for round two and a rematch of last year’s men’s final. Veteran of the game Robert Smeets clinched the number one singles of the Chargers with a 3-4, 4-3, 4-3 win over rising star Oliver Anderson. The match lasted over 90 minutes with outstanding tennis on show from both players.

With matches tied at two all going into doubles, it was an exciting finish with the pairing of Anderson and Calum Puttergill clinging the tie with straight sets doubles victory over Ellis and Smeets. The sharks won eight sets to seven after matches were tied at three all.

Sunday

The Brisbane Sharks continued to prove they were a force to be reckoned with after defeating the Tennyson Volt in a close battle in the men’s event 4-2. Matches were two all after singles once Michael Look bounced back to form with a straight sets win over Calum Puttergill. The Sharks proved too strong in doubles again, winning both rubbers for a 4-2 overall win. It was a tight tie between the Tennis Brisbane Chargers and Beenleigh Blaze with the chargers tagging the 4-2 win overall highlighted by a win for Blake Ellis over Mark Draper.

 In the women’s event, the Brisbane Sharks emphatically beat the Tennyson Volt 6-0 with Ashling Sumner continuing her undefeated streak in singles. The Blaze got over the top of the Chargers in a tight encounter which saw Aleksa Cveticanin hit the court for the Blaze for the first time in 2015.

The Sunshine Coast Breakers continued to make waves in the ATL North Pool B conference with the men’s team ultimately becoming undefeated after winning all three games against Western Sydney Warriors, Canberra Velocity and the Sydney Saints, 4-2, 4-2 and 5-1 respectively. The breakers men proved to be victorious despite, Australian number 2, Nick Kyrgios lining up for the Canberra Velocity in the doubles rubber. Breakers newcomers Thomas Fancutt and Mitchell Robins are demonstrating their addition to the team has been invaluable as they continue to be undefeated in singles.

The Sunshine Coast Breakers women had a tough start to the conference losing to the Western Sydney Warriors and Canberra Velocity. Yesterday saw the women get up in a tight match 3-3 with a count back on games meaning they took the win against the Sydney Saints.

Round three of the ATL North Pool A conference will be held at Shaw Park Tennis Centre starting at 6pm Friday 28 November 2015.

Mens Leader board – Pool A
Brisbane Sharks
Tennis Brisbane Chargers
Tennyson Volt
Beenleigh Blaze

Womens Leader board – Pool A
Brisbane Sharks
Beenleigh Blaze
Tennis Brisbane Chargers
Tennyson Volt