24 January 2023 | Tennis West

After the Christmas break, State League returns this Saturday for the second half of the season.

With just five rounds left before finals, every match will count with the top four teams of both the Men’s and Women’s competitions going through to the finals in March.

This weekend’s men’s matches start off with a highly anticipated clash between Royal Kings Park (6^th) and UWA (5^th) with both teams vying for a spot in the top four. With the competition tight for the number four spot, a loss from either team could spell the end of a finals position.

Last time they met, it was UWA that won comfortably, winning the rubber 5-1, however it included a retirement and a forfeit. UWA will come into the match confident having beaten Blue Gum/Midland (4^th) in round eight. Royal Kings Park’s Ben Dallinger is the inform player winning his last three matches. For UWA, Luca Katsamakis is also on a winning streak, winning his last three matches.

Another match that could potentially decide the top two spots is Hensman Park (2^nd) and Alexander Park (3^rd). A win for Hensman Park should all but confirm a top two spot with Hensman Park already a game and a half clear of Alexander Park. This rubber could see the rematch of Vuk Velickovic (Hensman Park) and Jerome Iaconi (Alexander Park). Velickovic prevailed as the winner in the last tie with a tight win in straight sets and will come into this match with form having won his past four games, however Iaconi also has a winning streak of four making this clash one to watch. Another one to watch is Hensman Park’s Zach Itzstein who is having a stellar season having lost only once back in round four.

In the women’s competition, Hensman Park will be looking to repeat round five’s performance against Alexander Park where they tied on rubbers and sets but narrowly lost on games. Hensman Park will look on team captain Anja Dokic and youngster Alice Stevens to get them over the line. Hensman Park will have to get past Alexander Park’s Shanelle Iaconi and Marisa Gianotti who have won their last four matches respectively.

The women’s feature match between Greenwood (5^th) and Dalkeith (4^th) could serve up a potential nail-biter with both sides battling it out for the final top four spot. Lauren Nikoloski has been the standout so far for Dalkeith, losing just twice so far this season. The match will be broadcast live on Streamer this Saturday from 1 pm. A win from Dalkeith this weekend could all but guarantee a finals spot.

Catch all the action here: https://live-sport.com.au/game_type/tennis-state-league/

See the upcoming Round 10 fixtures below: