The Tennis West State League is set to kick off another thrilling season, and the feature match of Round 1 couldn’t have been more enticing. On Friday, October 26, 2023, the UWA Tennis Club will face off against the reigning champions, Cottesloe Tennis Club, at the UWA Tennis Club’s clay courts. This clash promises to be a showdown filled with intense competition and exciting match-ups.
TWSL Feature Match Round 1 Preview: UWA Tennis Club vs Cottesloe Tennis Club
Date: Friday, October 26, 2023
Venue: UWA Tennis Club
Surface: Clay Court
UWA Tennis Club
The UWA Tennis Club is coming off a remarkable season where they surprised everyone with a late-season surge, eventually making it to the Semi-Finals. This season, they’ve made significant additions to their roster, securing the services of the talented young Chilean, Hans Bustiman. Bustiman’s addition to the team brings excitement and promise, given his stellar performance last season, where he won his first five matches and even defeated Will Hann in a thrilling match.
A vital player to watch for UWA is Tim Gray, who returns for his second season. Gray played a pivotal role in their success last year and will be eager to build on that performance. UWA’s specialty lies in their expertise on clay courts, as they were the only team to defeat Cottesloe in the 2022/23 season. The team is fueled by a burning desire to go one step further this season after falling to Cottesloe in the Semi-Finals last year.
Cottesloe Tennis Club: The Defending Champions
Cottesloe Tennis Club enters this season as the reigning champions, and they are not planning to relinquish their title without a fight. They’ve made astute recruitments, bringing in Tom Hann and Ethan Dunn to bolster their already formidable lineup. Hann returns home after a stint in the USA College System, and he’s a hard-hitting right-hander who last played in the 2020/21 season for Peppermint Grove. His match against Hans Bustiman promises fireworks, especially considering Bustiman’s recent win over Hann’s brother, Will Hann last season.
Cottesloe does have some big shoes to fill, with the departures of Matthew Burton to Oregon and Max Weir to Georgia State, both heading to college in the USA. However, they’ve managed to maintain their depth and continue to be a tough team to match up against.
Last Time They Met
In the 2022/23 Semi-Final, Cottesloe secured a 3-1 victory over UWA, with Matthew Burton, Will Hann, Addy Mann, and Max Weir all playing pivotal roles. This match has left UWA eager for redemption.
Possible Key Match-Ups
Tom Hann (Cottesloe) vs. Hans Bustiman (UWA)
This clash will be a highlight, with Tom Hann returning to the state league to face the rising star Hans Bustiman.
Tim Gray (UWA) vs. Ethan Dunn (Cottesloe)
Tim Gray, fresh from an overseas stint, will be looking for revenge after his loss to Cottesloe last season. Ethan Dunn’s positioning in the lineup provides Cottesloe with flexibility.
Other Key Match-Ups Around State League
Friday night features a series of exciting fixtures, including:
Men’s: Blue Gum Park Tennis Club vs. Alexander Park Tennis Club – Keep an eye on the match-up between Scott Jones (Alexander Park) and Ethan Cook (Blue Gum) and Ashwin Sharma (Alexander Park) vs. Aaron Addison (Blue Gum Park).
Men’s: Mt Lawley Sorrento Tennis Club vs. Peppermint Grove Tennis Club – The match-up to watch here is Jermone Iaconi (Mt Lawley Sorrento) vs. Brandon Walker (Peppermint Grove).
Women’s: Hensman Park Tennis Club vs. Royal Kings Park Tennis Club – The key match-up features Alice Stevens (Hensman Park) vs. Rhea Makesar (Royal Kings Park).
Saturday fixtures promise equally exciting matches, including:
Women’s: Peppermint Grove Tennis Club vs. Applecross Tennis Club – Watch out for Jessie Culley (Peppermint Grove) vs. Ruby Broadbent (Applecross).
Women’s: Alexander Park Tennis Club vs. Dalkeith Dolphins – The featured match-up is Peyton Duckett (Alexander Park) vs. Lauren Nikoloski (Dalkeith).
As the Tennis West State League commences this weekend, tennis fans can look forward to a season filled with gripping encounters and intense rivalries, with UWA and Cottesloe kicking things off in style. The battle for the championship has officially begun, and fans will be in for a treat as these skilled athletes showcase their talents on the court.
Latest
WA