6 February 2018 | Tennis SA

After two weeks of jam packed Tennis at the Australian Open, State League recommenced its season.

In the Women’s competition Flagstaff Hill continued to close the gap on the top four sides. Goodwood’s number one Tayla Whitehouse won against one of the competitions top players in Elyse Edwards winning in straight sets. Flagstaff Hill’s Charlotte Kempenaers-Pocz won convincingly at number two winning in straight sets against Marit Gillam.

After the singles being split at two all it was Flagstaff’s double combinations that were the determining factor winning both respective doubles.

The Drive returned to the season in fine form when they came up against second placed Seaside not allowing a player to win a rubber despite four matches being pushed to a third set. With three rounds of the regular season remaining, they have only been defeated once.

The best match of the round came when Kingswood hosted Trinity Gardens. Trinity Gardens Amber Marshall continued her Australian Open form when she overcame Nikki Milner at number one in three sets while Jieyi Chen followed also winning in three. Trinity’s Jovana Petrov was unable to play on after winning the first set but retiring after the second handing the win to Tiana Glazbrook.

Kingwood’s Nicole Kraemer tied things up after defeating Stefana Petrov in straight sets. Trinity Won the top doubles in straight sets but Kingswood counter punched in the second doubles winning in straight sets. This came to a count back where Kingswood were victorious by one set despite winning less games.

In the Men’s competition Collingrove currently sit in fourth place with The Drive and Glenlea hot on their tail.

Collingrove continued to keep the small gap on their rivals when they defeated Seaside. Collingroves Oliver Douglas defeated David Abfalter in straight sets while Seaside’s Doni Gashi won at three against Anton Talladira in three sets. This was Seaside’s only win for the day handing over a five rubbers to one victory to Collingrove.

Trinity Gardens hosted Glenlea at home in a match that was expected to be close as Glenlea’s position on the ladder can be deceiving. Trinity’s Li Tu came up against Steve Clasohm, Tu was the better player on the day winning in straight sets, this was then followed by a dominant display of tennis by Trinity’s Captain Andrew Tavella defeating Sam May in straight sets. Glenlea’s Ben Mooney and Stefan Bianchet battled it out winning to put their team back in the race.

In the end Trinity’s pairing in the doubles were too strong defeating Glenlea in both rubbers handing them a four rubbers to two win.

With three rounds remaining in the regular season the race for a position in the finals is vastly closing.

Phantom Tipsters prediction for Round 12