Just two teams remain in the Men’s and Women’s State League contesting for the State League title. In the men’s, Cottesloe hosts Peppermint Grove while Hensman Park hosts Alexander Park in the women’s. Both matches will be live streamed on Streamer starting at 12.30 pm.
Men’s: Cottesloe v Peppermint Grove
Cottesloe’s run in the finals has been smooth with all games played at home and recording comfortable wins against UWA and Peppermint Grove with the home side will be looking to make it back-to-back grand final’s wins. They go into the match with form, having won their past five matches and will enjoy home court advantage with Cottesloe recording a 6-1 win-loss record at home on the grass courts.
While Cottesloe’s form suggests they are warm favourites, Peppermint Grove has claimed the scalp twice this season and will take that confidence into the final knowing they can match it with the best. Cottesloe’s only two losses has come from Peppermint Grove including a loss at home on the grass courts. Peppermint Grove have a respectable 3-3 win-loss record when they play away and will be boosted by the return of Brandon Walkin for the final. A win for Peppermint Grove will see the club win their first Men’s State League title while Cottesloe is going for their 9th title.
Last time these two sides met, Cottesloe claimed victory in the qualifying final with Ethan Dunn, Will Hann, Cam Burton and Adam Kehane all winning their singles matches for Cottesloe, which meant no doubles matches had to be played. Peppermint Grove were without their top two players in Jayden Court and Brandon Walkin while Cottesloe were without Scott Webster.
The key match-up sees Cottesloe’s Scott Webster take on Peppermint Grove’s Jayden Court. Court comes into this match undefeated having won all five of his singles matches this season. The two have played each other twice this season in round 7 and round 3 with Court victorious on both occasions however Webster defeated Court 7-6, 6-3 in round 7 but had to forfeit his rubber. Jayden Court has beaten the likes of Tim Gray (UWA), Ashwin Sharma and Scott Jones (Alexander Park) so comes into this match with confidence.
For Scott Webster, Cottesloe’s No.1 defeated UWA’s Hans Bustiman last week winning 6-4, 7-6. Scott Webster has a 5-4 win-loss record this season but has a 3-2 win-loss record at home on the grass courts of Cottesloe. Webster is in some form coming into this match, having won his last two singles matches this season.
Women’s: Hensman Park v Alexander Park
Hensman Park is the team to beat. The home side has had an impressive run this season, dropping only one game when they had a depleted team. This finals series, Hensman Park has defeated Royal Kings Park 5-1 and Peppermint Grove 4-1. The home side knows how to play at home, they are undefeated at home this season, winning all seven matches and have won 34 rubbers and only lost seven at home (34-7). They also have an impeccable record in doubles rubbers. They have a 19-4 win-loss record in doubles matches and incredibly have not lost a doubles match at home this season, showing the depth they have with players like Alice Stevens, Ella Nurkic, Ksenija Vujacic and Alfee Stevens all consistently performing well.
Alexander Park knows they will be up for it with the away side having won only two matches away from home this season. They also are yet to win a match on hard courts this season and have a 0-3 win-loss record on hard courts. Alexander Park has found some form in the past few weeks with wins over Dalkeith, Peppermint Grove and Royal Kings Park twice. In the semifinal, Alexander Park defeated Royal Kings Park on their courts 3-3 (winning on games 62-60). Alexander Park will be looking to go one better this season and win their first title since 1967-68 after losing the final last season to Peppermint Grove while Hensman Park is out to win their fourth State League title.
Hensman Park’s Alice Stevens is listed to play in the No.1 position but is currently away in Victoria competing in a junior ITF tournament so may miss the clash. Anja Dokic will step in and will have no trouble in the No.1 position, having predominantly played as the number one seed this season. Dokic has won seven matches and lost three this season.
Alexander Park’s Peyton Duckett has been impressive, taking on the No.1 position each week, winning seven of her 11 singles matches this season. These two met each other back in Round 9 this season with Peyton Duckett claiming the victory with a 6-4, 6-2 win. Both players are coming off a loss last week; Peyton Duckett went down to Royal Kings Park’s Amy Findlay last week in the semi-final in three sets while Anja Dokic lost to Jess Culley 6-1, 7-6.
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