15 December 2014 | Tennis Tasmania

In the inaugural season in the South East Conference of the Asia Pacific League our Tasmanian Devils dropped a heartbreaking 4-2 decision to the Tennis World Taipans at the National Tennis Centre in Melbourne. The loss caps off a fantastic inception into the highest level of competition in the Asia-Pacific region where our Devils claimed wins over the more highly fancied Tennis World Taipans (Round 2) and Dingley Dingoes (Round 3).

In a match where both teams were missing star players our Devils were dealt a huge blow when Italian import Ricardo Stiglich and Tasmanian great Richard Fromberg were forced to miss the 3/4 play-off due to injury concerns. The teams depth was heavily tested soon after when Harry Bourchier was forced to miss the play-off due to his entry into the Australian Open Wildcard play-off (after he claimed the 18/u singles championships).

With local cult hero James Bolzonello being promoted to singles action our Devils gritted it out for over four hours on the indoor hard courts before dropping a pair of tie-breaks and with it the victory. Tasmanian born Jay Salter got the Devils off to a great start by keeping his composure against Daniel Guccione. Like older brother Chris, Daniel has a laser of a serve which Salter was able to subdue. In what proved to be telling Devils ace Samuel Thompson dropped a thrilling double match point at 4-4 in the third set tie-break against the Taipans Stephen Ho to sway the advantage to the Taipans. With Bolzonello claiming a hard fought victory over Patrick Fitzgerald it came down to the doubles after Alexander Babanine (Devils) couldn’t handle the free swinging play of Jarryd Maher.

In a see-sawing doubles contest it was always going to be an uphill battle for our exhausted Devils. In a match which was hard fought out until the last point our Devils showed the kind of character and camaraderie which they are known for and proved they belong on this stage.

With the loss the Tasmanian Devils finish their first ever season in the Asia Pacific League 4th. In the title match it was the Kooyong Classics claiming the title from the previously undefeated Royal South Yarras by a solitary set. The Classics will go on to play at the second week of the Australian Open against the other conference championships in what promises to be a hotly contested event.

Fixture, results and Ladders found here

We would like to take this opportunity to thank all the players, the media and most of all the fans for their interest and support of the Tasmanian Devils. Also a big shout out to David Hearne (Tennis Australia), Jeff Downes and Nick Hinnenberg (Tennis Victoria) for all their hard work in making the Asia Pacific league bigger and better than ever. We look forward to next year and taking on the best of Australian tennis. There is a little bit of Devil in all of us!!