17 December 2012 | Tennis West

Perth’s wild weather halted the final of the Asia-Pacific Tennis League final on Wednesday evening. Players and spectators retreated indoors to enjoy an early Christmas dinner at the State Tennis Centre, after completing the first singles rubbers of the match.

The number one player for the Giants, Zach Itzstein, beat Brendan Malarkey of the Western Sharks, 4-1, in a shortened fast tennis format. Adam Carey was victorious over Richard Sampson in the number 3 singles rubber also 4-1. In the Women’s final, Giants number one player Jess Moore, conquered Shona Lee of the Blue Gum Park Ball Bursters, 4-0 and Katy O’Shea was successful over Kay-Leigh Nicholas 4 games to 2. The teams shared the spoils.

The ladder winning Giants teams, sponsored by Greenwich Equities, will travel to Melbourne in January to compete with teams from New Zealand, China, the Pacific Islands, and four other states during the Australian Open. Each team wins prize money ranging from $15,000 for the winner to $1000 for the 8th team.

Santa braved the elements to make an appearance with the Hopman Cup Trophy, and Alicia Molik whispered in the reindeers’ ear to tell him what a good boy her baby son, born earlier this year, had been.