11 February 2019 | Tennis SA

The State League season is tightening up with only two rounds remaining after Round 12 was played over the weekend.

The Drive won a thriller over Collingrove to keep their season alive.

Collingrove’s number one Paddy Douglas had a straight set win over Stefan Norodom to get his team off to a strong start. The Drive’s Sebastian Flock was able to get his team going with a win over Sam Holland-Smith. Heading into the doubles at two rubbers all it was the The Drive’s doubles pairings who were able to clinch the victory with Kiichi Ishida and Theodore Karahalios holding off Matt Teivans and Doni Gashi in a Match Tie-break 10-4.

Glenlea men kept their top placing intact after they defeated Golden Grove. Glenlea’s Jack Schipanski started well for his team defeating Nathan Eshmade at top single in straight sets. This then followed through with Glenlea not dropping a rubber, showing why they are in top position.

Trinity Gardens have put Broadview’s hopes of finals in danger after they won a tight match four rubbers to two. With rubbers sitting at three rubbers to one after singles in Trinity Gardens favour, it came down to the doubles. The pairing of Adam Alessandrini and Oliver Carroll won in straight sets to award Trinity Gardens the victory.

Kingswood continued to keep the small gap for top position when they defeated Tea Tree Gully. Kingswood’s Sean Van Rensburg defeated Lawrence Bataljin in three sets while Tea Tree Gully’s Ashwin Vijayaragavan won at two against Sam Sanderson in straight sets. This was Tea Tree Gully’s only win for the day handing over a five rubbers to one victory to Kingswood.

The best match of the round came when Denman hosted Seaside. Seaside’s Tully Richter overcame Heidi Evans at number one in straight sets while Schwarz sisters Chloe and Madison followed also winning in straight sets at three and four. Denman’s Casey Jackson kept the match alive defeating Sacha Rankin in straight sets. Denman counter punched in the doubles winning both rubbers but Seaside were able to do enough in the doubles to come out victorious by two sets.

The Drive ladies cannot be caught, dominating the competition and round 12 was no different when they defeated Kingswood six rubbers to none. Player of the Year contender Melissa Beadman lead the way for The Drive with a straight sets win over youngster Georgia Palasis at second single. Melanie Clayton and Alana Repanich were impressive for The Drive with wins at number one and three single.

Pembroke played a strong list of players to remain in the top four. Pembroke’s Valentina Ivanov played at number one defeating Tayla Whitehouse in straight sets while Glenlea’s Andrea Kristo won at four in three sets against Juliette Robinson. Glenlea was unable to win another set giving Pembroke the victory five rubbers to one.

With two weeks of matches before finals the State League finals race in both the men’s and ladies competitions are heating up.

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Phantom Tipsters prediction for Round 13 Winners