27 February 2024 | Tennis West

It was do or die for some teams in the first week of Qualifying Finals. Only eight teams in both the men and women’s State League remain.

MEN’S 

UWA defeated Blue Gum Park 4-1 

UWA kept their season alive with an impressive win on their home clay courts over Blue Gum Park. The scoreline didn’t reflect the way the rubbers went with two of the singles matches going to three set match tie-breaks.

No. 1 seed Hans Bustiman (UWA) matched up against Nathan Schupelius (Blue Gum Park) for the second time in two weeks with the end result going the same way. Bustiman was too strong again winning in two sets 6-0, 6-4 and continuing his impressive form on clay courts this season.

UWA’s Tim Gray was made to work for his victory against Blue Gum Park’s Jay Fairclough. Gray won the first set but Fairclough fought back to take the second. In the third set, Gray held his nerve to win it 10-5. Blue Gum Park’s Brendan Jayaprakash gave the visitors some hope with a straight sets win over Luca Katsamakis (UWA) 6-2, 7-5 while UWA’s Christopher Lawrance came from a set down in tight match to win 5-7, 7-6, 10-4 over Blue Gum Park’s Cam Fenner.

With UWA only needing to win one of the two doubles fixtures, Katsamakis and Bustiman defeated Jayaprakash and Brown 6-1, 6-3 to seal the tie. It would prove important as Blue Gum Park pair Schupelius and Fairclough had a set up before the match was stopped as a result was reached.

UWA now face Cottesloe at Cottesloe Tennis Club next Saturday for a spot in the final.

 

Cottesloe defeated Peppermint Grove 4-0 

Cottesloe sent a warning to the rest of the competition with a convincing 4-0 win over Peppermint Grove at home. Cottesloe’s Ethan Dunn started things off well, defeating Peppermint Grove’s Jake Robinson in straight sets 7-6, 6-2.

Cottesloe’s Will Hann and Cam Burton were too strong for Sam Ashenden and Darren Slater, winning both their rubbers in straights. Adam Kehane (Cottesloe) was challenged by Luca Vujacic (Peppermint Grove) with Vujacic taking the second set and sending it to a third set tie-break. Kehane held his nerve to win the tie-break 11-9.

The win sees Cottesloe host a semi final next Saturday against UWA while Peppermint Grove get the second chance at home against Alexander Park.

 

Alexander Park defeated Mt Lawley/Sorrento 4-0 

Alexander Park ended Mt Lawley/Sorrento’s season with an impressive 4-0 win in amongst many rain delays and wet conditions. Alexander Park’s Ashwin Sharma and Daniel Downey were challenged by Casey Ambler and Michael Faulkner with Sharma overcoming Ambler in a match that could have gone either way, winning 7-6, 7-6. Mt Lawley/Sorrento’s Faulkner took the first set against Downey but was over run win Downey winning the second and the match tie-break 11-9.

Alexander Park’s Austin Vos and Evan Manso sealed the victory with straight set wins over Josh Carter and Kendrick Chia. The doubles did not go ahead as the result was reached.

Alexander Park now plays Peppermint Grove next Friday night under lights at Peppermint Grove for a spot in the final.

 

WOMEN’S 

Hensman Park defeated Royal Kings Park 5-1 

Another fixture that could have gone either way. All four singles rubbers went to match tie-breaks. Hensman Park’s Anja Dokic had to come from one set down to edge over Amy Findlay to win in a marathon match tie-break 4-6, 6-0, 17-15. Ella Nurkic (Hensman Park) also had to win in a match tie-break, defeating Saanvi Tak 7-5, 5-7, 10-6.

Alfee Stevens bounced back from losing her first set in a tie-break to win the second and deciding set against Royal Kings Park’s Amelia Tatafu while Jana Ruzic kept Royal Kings Park’s hopes alive with a nail-biting three set win over Karin Hiramatsu 3-6, 6-3, 10-8.

In the doubles, Hensman Park only needed to win one rubber and their strong form all season in the doubles showed, with both pairs winning their matches in straight sets. Hensman Park now hosts the winner out of Peppermint Grove or Applecross while Royal Kings Park plays the winner out of Alexander Park and Dalkeith.

 

Alexander Park v Dalkeith 

The match did not go ahead due to the wet weather. The two teams will play this Saturday at Alexander Park from 11:00am with the match to be live streamed on Streamer.com.au.

 

Applecross v Peppermint Grove 

The match is currently under dispute.