12 March 2014 | Tennis Victoria

The highly anticipated 2014 Tennis Victoria Premier League Round 1 has been played with Victoria’s best male players battling it out at Dingley TC while the women’s competition was at Dendy Park TC in two showcase super rounds.

The men’s competition saw a string of upsets with the preseason ranked 5th team Dingley overcoming the 3rd ranked MCC while the preseason ranked 4th team, Waverley Tennis, defeated last years champions, Kooyong Lawn TC.

Waverley were particularly impressive led by star French import Vincent Strouff, as were Dingley who won by the smallest margin of a set in a nail biting finish over MCC.

Grace Park were also impressive in defeating the Country All Stars team, with James Lemke again rock solid with a demolition of the All Stars Ryan Palfrey in the pivotal number 1 singles rubber.

The women’s competition also began with a bang with last years runners up and number 1 preseason rated team Kooyong Lawn winning 6 rubbers to 0 against Royal South Yarra Lawn, with rising Australian junior star Destanee Aiava (KLTC) brilliant in overcoming the highly talented Masa Jovanovic (RSYLTC).

MCC also sent a strong statement to opposition clubs  and appear to be set to be real challengers with an impressive 5 rubbers to 1 victory over 2013 champions Delahey Recreation, once again highlighting their extraordinary level of high quality youth.

Grace Park rated second in preseason rankings were also strong in defeating Dendy Park 4 rubbers to 2 with star recruit Karolina Wlodorzack showing she could be the most valuable player in the women’s competition.

The TVPL competition will feature a double header weekend for Rounds 2 and 3.

On Saturday 15th March at 1.00pm the men’s competition will head to the Doveton TC (Robinsons Reserve, Frawley Road, Doveton) the home of the Waverley Tennis team and the women’s competition to Grace Park TC (6 Hilda Crescent, Hawthorn).

Then a feature round 3 on this Sunday 16th March at the Kooyong Lawn TC (489 Glenferrie Road, Kooyong) with all men’s and women’s matches at the same venue, offering fans a smorgasboard of Victorias best players at the one venue, as teams look to make a statement in their quest for finals action. Matches will start at 12pm.

Click here for the latest results and schedules.