The Club Championship tournaments for the Stratford Tennis Club continued this past weekend. After a busy weekend of play champions were crowned in the men’s and ladies doubles categories.
Sunday morning saw the semifinals take place in all events. The men’s ‘A’ doubles semis had several familiar faces. In one semifinal John and Luke Fischer took on John Noble and Richard Bast. John Fischer had won the title last season (with Shannon Dyke as partner), while Bast and Noble have won the title in the past. The Fischer brothers were not to be denied and posted an impressive 6-2 6-1 victory. So John Fischer advanced to his second consecutive final and brother Luke , back after an injury last season, advanced to his first ‘A’ doubles final.
The second semifinal saw Shannon Dyke and Grant McPherson face Kurt Eickmeier and Zdenko Andrekovic. Dyke, with two different partners, is the two time defending champion, while McPherson was a losing finalist last season. Eickmeier has won the title twice in the past while Andrekovic was in his first ‘A’ semifinal. The very competitive match ended with Dyke and McPherson advancing to the final with a 7-5 6-3 win.
The final saw Dyke and McPherson playing at the top of their game. McPherson showed off the power of his game while Dyke shined with the precision of his shots. They dominated all facets of the match and won the championship with a 6-1 6-4 victory. This gave Dyke his third straight men’s ‘A’ doubles title, and fourth over all. McPherson takes home his first ‘A’ doubles championship.
The ladies ‘A’ doubles semifinals had one of the best matches of the weekend , and one of the most surprising blow outs. The first semi was a classic. Marta and Sonja Andrekovic (the 2014 champions) took on Sandie Ennett (who won the title with Naomi Lange last season) and Monica Eickmeyer. The match had many long rallies and many close games. Eventually the Andrekovics scored a 6-4 4-6 6-4 win to advance to the final.
The second semi had last season’s finalist Heather Henke and Nancy Rheaume face Deb Murphy and Johanna Billings. This semi was not close. Murphy and Billings couldn’t miss. They blitzed to the final with an impressive 6-0 6-1 win.
The final was another surprising blow out. Sonja Andrekovic played amazing tennis and her mother Marta was her steady self. The shocking 6-0 6-0 victory gave Sonja and Marta Andrekovic their second ‘A’ doubles title in the last three seasons.
The men’s ‘B’ final was a battle as Steven Schwartzentruber and Phil Lambert took on Pat McCarroll and Murray Schiedel. Schwartzentruber won the title last season with Ryan Lay as his partner. Schwartzentruber and Lambert were the more aggressive team and impressed with their offensive play. There were many great rallies with most going to Schwartzentruber and Lambert who scored a 6-4 6-3 win to take the title.
The ladies ‘B’ championship match was the best final of the evening. Janet Bradley, who had won the last two ladies ‘B’ titles with Gail Shelton, teamed with Judy Stuart this season. Bradley/Stuart advanced to the final where they faced first time finalists Michele Thomson and Erma Weernink. After a dramatic semifinal that they won 7-5 in the third set, Thomson and Weernink were destined to go three sets again in the final. Bradley/Stuart took the first set 7-5 before Thomson/Weernink won the second set 6-3. Behind Thomson’s impressive serving and Weernink’s willingness to run down every ball the final set went to Thomson/Weernink 6-2. This is Thomson and Weernink’s first ‘B’ championship.
The club championship tournaments conclude on Wednesday night with the singles titles to be determined. The ‘A’ championships are rematches from last season. McPherson will defend the title won last season against Bob Tamblyn. Marta Andrekovic will try to defend her title against youngster Nicolle Crowley. The men’s ‘B’ title will have teenager Marcel Lundrigan take on Graham Heaton. The ladies ‘B’ final will be Heather Henke facing Monica Eickmeyer. Play begins at 7:30 pm. Spectators welcome.
Picture 1 (l to r) Pat McCarroll and Murray Schiedel (men’s ‘B’ finalists), Phil Lambert and Steven Schwartzentruber (men’s ‘B’ champions), Shannon Dyke and Grant McPherson (men’s ‘A’ champions), John Fischer and Luke Fischer (men’s ‘A’ finalists)
Picture 2 (l to r) Janet Bradley and Judy Stuart (ladies ‘B’ finalists), Erma Weernink and Michele Thomson (ladies ‘B’ champions), Sonja Andekovic and Marta Andrekovic (ladies ‘A’ champions), Deb Murphy and Johanna Billings (ladies ‘A’ finalists)
