21 March 2013 | Tennis Tasmania

Elliot Johnstone (Burnie) and Janaya Smith (Kingston) have taken out the coveted B & E Banking Clarence Open Bronze AMT.

Johnstone (17) was particularly impressive after fighting through 3 tough matches in claiming the title. His first test was against Shaun Thomas (Hobart) which he prevailed 7-5, 6-4. From here he claimed a 6-4, 6-4 win in the semi-finals before he was set to take on 2nd seed Joseph Gersbach (Tweet Heads, NSW) in the final. In a 3 hour greulling marathon in testing conditions Johnstone was able to eek through 6-7(2), 7-5, 7-6(3). In what clearly was the match of the tournament both players were both physically and mentally exhaused at the conclusion with only a point here and there being the difference. After this emotional win Elliot partnered brother Tyler to fall just short of completing the double, dropping a 6-3, 6-2 decision to David Tunbridge (Hobart) and Thomas Cornish (Kingston Beach).

Smith (also 17) had a much more clinical road to the title dropping only a handful of games in her first few matches. Smith showed why she was the number 1 seed by defeating 2nd seeded Kaylah Mcphee from Camp Mountain (QLD) 6-4, 6-3. Mcphee put up a fight till the end but Smith’s power and agility was to much in the end. In the doubles draw Mcphee was able to get her revenge, defeating Smith and Phoebe Davis (East Launceston) en route to claiming the doubles title with Vanessa Dobson (Hobart).

Overall the tournament was another great success with tournament director Greg Jack happy with the running of the event. A big congratulations to all the winners and thanks to all who participated!