13 December 2014 | Tennis Victoria
An enthralling finals’ round of the Asia-Pacific Tennis League South East Conference will see the undefeated Luke Saville led Royal South Yarras, take on cross town rivals Kooyong Classics in the men’s competition.
And, in the women’s competition, star studded undefeated Bayside Thunder, with the likes of Olivia Rogowska, Daria Gavrilova, Arina Rodionova and fed cup player Storm Sanders, take on the young MCC Stars led by Jaimee Fourlis, Zoe Hives and international player Zuzana Zluchova.
Last night’s matches were pivotal in deciding the team for Sunday’s finals. In an epic final round in the men’s competition, the Kooyong Classics went down to the Royal South Yarras by just 3 games after rubbers and sets were even. Sunday’s rematch in the final promises to be intriguing and one which will undoubtedly go down to the wire again. Both teams will be confident of the ultimate success.
In the women’s round, the MCC Stars needed to defeat the third placed Mornington Missiles, who again had grand slam mixed doubles winner Cara Black in action. The Stars showed strong form ahead of Sunday, crushing the Missiles 5 rubbers to 1 to book their shot at glory on Sunday.
The ATL finals day will also include the 3 v 4 playoffs for both the men’s and women’s competition. The Omar Jasika led Tennis World Taipans will square off against the Tasmanian Devils, who are playing in their inaugural season. And, the women’s 3 v 4 playoff will feature the Mornington Missiles against last year’s runner up the Kooyong Classics.
Men
Final – Royal South Yarras v Kooyong Classics
3v4 playoff – Tennis World Taipans v Tasmanian Devils
Women
Final – Bayside Thunder v MCC Stars
3v4 playoff – Mornington Missiles v Kooyong Classics
Sunday’s winning teams will take home $6000 and progress to the ATL Playoffs in the second week of the Australian Open. They will where compete against the other Australian State Conference winners and teams from Japan, Korea, New Zealand and Pacific Oceania, with $110K prize money on offer across both the men’s and women’s playoffs.
The Official Welcome is 12.45pm and play starts at 1pm at the National Tennis Centre. Entry is free. (Parking fees apply.)
Photo of Bayside Thunder team