The Stratford Tennis Club began its annual Club Championship tournaments this weekend with the Mixed Doubles events. Teams battled each other and the heat to determine the ‘A’ and ‘B’ champions. All teams began in the ‘A’ division with those losing their first round match proceeding into the ‘B’ draw.
The ‘A’ championship saw three time defending champions Marta Andrekovic and Bob Tamblyn face off against 2007 champions Johanna Billings and Richard Bast. The first set saw Billings and Bast score an early service break only to be broken right back in the next game. The teams continued to win their service games to get to a 5-4 advantage for Billings and Bast, with Tamblyn needing to hold serve to continue the set.
After a long service game that saw Andrekovic/Tamblyn fight off a couple of set points, Billings and Bast were able to finally secure the break and take the first set 6-4.
The second set continued the pattern of the first set. The power of Bast’s serve and ground strokes coupled with Billings’ steady play kept the challengers ahead. A early service break of Andrekovic gave Billings/Bast a 3-1 lead. Teams continued to win their service games until Bast came to the service line with a 5-3 lead and needing one more service hold to win the title. After a long service game Bast and Billings finally put the game away to claim the championship. The 6-4 6-3 victory gave Billings and Bast their second Mixed Doubles title and they became the first team to beat Andrekovic and Tamblyn in four years.
The ‘B’ championship finals was contested by Nancy Chung and Wayne Carney (who lost their first round match to Andrekovic/Tamblyn) and Nicolle Crowley and Ryan Lay (who fell to Billings/Bast in their first round). All players were first time participants in the Mixed Doubles ‘B’ championships.
Teenagers Crowley and Lay came out dominating the match. Crowley’s big serve and Lay’s court coverage and volleys lead to a convincing 6-2 win in the first set.
The youngsters continued their dominant play in the second set jumping out to a 4-1 lead before the tide turned. Chung’s play grew more steady and Carney showed his ability to make amazing recoveries. The veterans went on a roll winning 5 straight games to take the set 6-4 and send the match to a third and final set.
In the third set Crowley and Lay returned to dominance. Showing power and cutting down on their errors, Crowley and Lay were in complete control. The kids scored a 6-1 victory in the final set to win the Mixed Doubles ‘B’ championship.
With their 6-4 4-6 6-1 win Crowley and Lay become the youngest team in Club history to win the ‘B’ title, replacing Claire Scott and Greg Vivian in the record books. Crowley and Lay have won multiple junior mixed titles but this victory shows they can be a team to be reckoned with in the open categories.
Club Championships continue with the Men’s and Ladies Doubles events this weekend. Finals are scheduled for Sunday at 7:30 pm and spectators are welcome.
(l to r) Wayne Carney and Nancy Chung (Mixed Doubles ‘B’ finalists) , Ryan Lay and Nicolle Crowley (Mixed Doubles ‘B’ champions) , Johanna Billings and Richard Bast (Mixed Doubles ‘A’ champions) , Marta Andrekovic and Bob Tamblyn (Mixed Doubles ‘A’ finalists)
