23 November 2015 | Tennis Victoria

After a massive triple header weekend of Asia Pacific Tennis League – South Conference action, several clubs have announced themselves as genuine challengers and will be hard to stop when the ATL continues this weekend.

The Royal South Yarras men’s and women’s teams entered the league as pre-season favourites. Led by Luke Saville and Dane Propoggia and by world number 34 Daria Gavrilova and recent Australian Open 2016 wildcard recipient Tammi Patterson, both teams remain undefeated after the first three rounds.

The Kooyong Classics men’s team led by New Zealand Davis Cup player Rubin Statham alongside a host of exciting young talent including Andrew Whittington and Jacob Grills, are building momentum having secured an important victory over arch rival Dingley Dingoes on Sunday.

Last year’s runners up, the MCC Stars have started the league well, relishing their underdog status and continuing to quietly notch up rubbers. With Asia Muhammad, Lauren Embree and Zoe Hives wearing the red and blue, the Stars are looking as a serious threat to the Yarras.

The Kooyong Classics’ teenage sensation Destanee Aiava provided one of the many highlights of the weekend, eclipsing world no 34 Daria Gavrilova and more experienced risings star Asia Muhammad, showing a real liking to the fast paced shortened format with her power game.

“The ATL brings world class tennis to the backyards of our local tennis communities,” Tennis Victoria Competitions Manager Jeff Downes said.

The ATL roadshow across Victoria will continue this weekend with Round 4 on Thursday night at the Royal South Yarra Lawn TC, before the players and staff travel to country Victoria, where Yarrawonga will host a double header round on Saturday and Sunday.

Ladders after Round 3

Men’s

• Royal South Yarras 26 points
• Kooyong Classics 21 points
• Dingley Dingoes 12 points
• Dover Square Destroyers 1 point

Women’s

• Royal South Yarras 24 points
• MCC Stars 19 points
• Mornington Missiles 11 points
• Kooyong Classics 6 points

Upcoming Rounds

• Thursday 26 November- Round 4- Royal South Yarra Lawn TC @ 6:30pm
• Saturday 28 November- Round 5- Yarrawonga Lawn Tennis Club @ 2:00pm
• Sunday 29 November- Round 6- Yarrawonga Lawn Tennis Club @ 10:00am