The Stratford Tennis Club has begun its annual Club Championship tournaments. The first event completed was the Mixed Doubles event which was held this past weekend.
The Mixed Doubles ‘A’ division semifinals went Sunday morning. The first semi had two time defending champions Marta Andrekovic and Bob Tamblyn defeat a hobbled Johanna Billings and John Noble 6-2 6-1 to advance to the final. The second semi was a nail biter, with youngsters Krista Plociennik and Jeremy Chisholm facing even younger Sonja Andrekovic and Grant McPherson. Plociennik and J. Chisholm took the first set 6-2 before Sonja Andrekovic and McPherson took the second set 6-2 setting the stage for a thrilling deciding set. Neither team could pull ahead and eventually the set went to a tie-breaker. Plociennik and Chisholm prevailed 7-6 , 7 points to 5 in the tie-breaker to advance to the Sunday night final.
The ‘A’ final saw many great rallies and very strategic play. The first set went on serve until Marta Andrekovic and Tamblyn got a serve break to take a 5-3 lead. Tamblyn then held his serve to secure the first set 6-3. The second set saw Plociennik and Chisholm race to a 5-2 lead before M. Andrekovic and Tamblyn went on a run, coming back to take a 6-5 lead. Plociennik and Chisholm were able to right the ship in time to send the set to a tie-breaker. In the tie-breaker it was all Marta Andrekovic and Tamblyn as they swept the breaker 7 points to 0. The 6-3 7-6 victory gave Andrekovic and Tamblyn their third consecutive Mixed Doubles ‘A’ championship. It was a historic win for Tamblyn. With this title, Tamblyn tied Velma Hansford with 27 Club Championship ‘A’ titles in the modern history of the Stratford Tennis Club. ( the modern history is defined as after 1969 when the Club began play at its current location)
The Mixed Doubles ‘B’ division also saw a team attempting to repeat its title run. Last years champions Sandie Ennett and Todd Chisholm took out the youngest team in the draw in their semifinal with a 6-3 7-5 victory over the impressive Nicolle Crowley and Ryan Lay. The other semifinal saw Deb Murphy and Pat McCarroll cruise to an 6-2 6-1 win over Marilyn Holmes and Stuart Arkett to advance to their first final. The ‘B’ final was full of long rallies and long games. Eventually Ennett and Chisholm got late serves breaks in each set to score a 6-4 7-5 victory, securing their second consecutive Mixed Doubles ‘B’ championship.
The Club Championships continue next weekend with the Men’s and Ladies Doubles being played. Finals are scheduled for 7:30 pm Sunday evening. Spectators are welcome.
Bill White
