8 December 2014 | Tennis Victoria

Round 3 report

With spots in the finals up for grabs in the ATL South East Conference, women’s competition favorites the Bayside Thunder, led by Fed Cup player Storm Sanders, outlasted the also undefeated MCC Stars winning 4 rubbers to 2, to take top spot with two rounds remaining. The Mornington Missiles provided the upset of the competition so far in downing last year’s finalists, Kooyong Classics, and keeping their dreams alive of a fairytale finals berth in their debut season – and also ensuring a four way battle for the top four spots over the last two rounds.

In the men’s competition, the Royal South Yarras led by Luke Saville, have announced themselves as new competition’s favorites. They remain undefeated after an emphatic win over the talented Tennis World Taipans and displayed the highest quality tennis last night at their Club. The pre-season favorites, the Kooyong Classics are the sleepers of the competition and appear to be coming right at the business end of the season, aided by the return of star player Andrew Whittington. And, the Tasmanian Devils are taking the league by storm, also recording back to back victories in their inaugural season. ATL South East Conference Manager Jeff Downes is excited about the league and the battle for spots in the finals next weekend.  “The conference has been outstanding so far. The caliber of players we have attracted to this FAST4 innovative league is first class, and the players must be commended for the fast paced, quality tennis they are providing in the local tennis communities.

ATL Super Rounds are an event in themselves – it is great to see large crowds back watching competition tennis, thanks to some of Australia’s best tennis talent on show playing the new match format. The local host clubs are putting on great events with DJs playing music, lots tennis activities for the kids, and of course a BBQ. It is bringing people back to tennis – which certainly has not been seen at competition tennis for a long time”. Match Results Super Round : Friday 6 December

Women hosted by Bayside Thunder at Williamstown Bayside Tennis

• Bayside Thunder 4 def MCC Stars 2
• Mornington Missiles 4 def Kooyong Classics 2
• Frankston Firebirds 4 def Waverley Warriors 2

Men hosted by Royal South Yarra Royals at Royal South Yarra

• Royal South Yarras 5 def Tennis World Taipans 1
• Kooyong Classics 5 def Waverley Warriors 1
• Tasmania Devils 4 def Dingley Dingoes 2

Round 4 report

In an historical day of the Asia-Pacific Tennis League South East Conference (ATL) the men’s players converged as one in Launceston for the inaugural Tasmanian men’s Super Round. In the women’s competition career Grand Slam Mixed Doubles winner Cara Black made her ATL debut, highlighting the attractiveness of this FAST4 league to star players.

The Royal South Yarras have secured themselves a place in the men’s ATL Final and showed why they have become the new competition favorites, beating home side the Tasmanian Devils 4 rubbers to 2. Yarras’ Luke Saville and Dane Propoggia continued their rich vein of form.

In one of the matches of the league so far the Kooyong Classics clinched a crucial win over the Tennis World Taipans by just three games after rubbers and sets were tied, keeping the Classics dreams of defending their title alive.

Under threatening clouds at the home of the Mornington Missiles, the women’s competition favorites, Bayside Thunder, led by Storm Sanders booked their place in the ATL South East Conference Final.

The impressive debut season of the Mornington Missiles continued with a victory over the Waverley Warriors. The Missiles were boosted by the appearance of wildcard Cara Black, currently ranked No. 4 in the world in doubles. Black showed a liking for the FAST4 format recording victories in both her singles and doubles rubbers, and thrilling the Missiles home crowd.

With just one round remaining the battle is on this Friday night for second position and a place in the final in both the men’s and women’s competitions. The Kooyong Classics need to secure at least one rubber against men’s league heavy weights the Royal South Yarras to keep the Devils and the Taipans at bay. Second placed MCC Stars will have to battle it out against third placed Mornington Missiles for the important ladder position in the women’s competition.

Match Results Super Round : Sunday 7 December

Women hosted by Mornington Missiles at Mornington Tennis Centre

• MCC Stars 5 rubbers def Kooyong Classics 1
• Bayside Thunder 6 rubbers def Frankston Firebirds 0
• Mornington Missiles 4 rubbers def Waverley Warriors 2

Men hosted by Tasmanian Devils at Launceston Regional Tennis Centre

• Kooyong Classics 3  rubbers def Tennis World Taipans 3 (won on games)
• Royal South Yarras 4 rubbers def Tasmanian Devils 2
• Waverley Warriors 4 rubbers def Dingley Dingoes 2

Ladders

Men’s

Royal South Yarras 33 points
Kooyong Classics 28
Tasmania Devils 18
Tennis World Taipans 16
Dingley Dingoes 13
Waverley Warriors 12

Women’s

Bayside Thunder 35
MCC Stars 30
Mornington Missiles 24
Kooyong Classics 15
Frankston Firebirds 12
Waverley Warriors 4

This week’s Super Rounds

Super Round 5 – Friday 12 December @ 6.30pm

• MEN Waverley Warriors host at Doveton TC, Robinson Reserve, Frawley Road, Doveton
• WOMEN Kooyong Classics host at Kooyong LTC, 489 Glenferrie Road, Kooyong

FINALS – Sunday 14 December @ 12:45pm

• MEN and WOMEN finals will be held at National Tennis Centre, Melbourne Park.
• There will be a 1 v 2 playoff and 3 v 4 playoff for both Men and Women

Photos are available on Flickr