The Stratford Tennis Club held its annual Super Set Singles Tournament this past weekend. With a record 39 entries in the men’s draw a long day of tennis was spent on the courts. The large numbers meant that matches were one regular set.
The Men’s draw was loaded with the top players in the Club. The top 8 seeds all made it through to the quarter-finals setting up quality matches for the spectators to enjoy. The top half of the draw saw top seed Bob Tamblyn take out Travis Hiller in his quarter and Jason Erb get revenge on Luke Fischer , who beat him in last season’s club championship, to advance to the semifinals. The bottom half of the draw had #2 seed Grant McPherson defeat Steven Schwartzentruber in his quarter-final and Richard Bast take out John Fischer in his section. This put the top four seeds into the semifinals. Tamblyn took out Erb 6-3 to book his spot in the final. McPherson scored a 6-3 victory over Bast to continue his impressive 2015 season.
The final of Tamblyn and McPherson was highly anticipated and did not disappoint. The power of McPherson was on display early but was countered by the control and accuracy of Tamblyn. Each player was able to hold serve in the first 7 games before McPherson, keyed by his great defensive play, was able to break Tamblyn’s serve to take a 5-3 lead. McPherson then served for the match. Though able to get two match points he could not put Tamblyn away and was eventually broken back. McPherson regrouped and broke Tamblyn again to seal the title with a 6-4 victory. McPherson’s net play was the key. Tamblyn could not get his passing attempts past the quick McPherson, and lob attempts were smashed away. The high quality final was the match of the day and McPherson was a deserving winner of the ‘A’ championship.
The Men’s ‘A’ consolation final saw youth being served as teenager Ryan Lay showed the movement and power needed to take down Wayne Carney 6-1 to claim the title. The Men’s ‘B’ champion is Geraint Wyn Davies who downed Evan Moorehead 6-2 in the final. The Men’s ‘B’ consolation title went to Marcel Lundrigan , who’s play improved as the day went on, as he defeated Stuart Arkett 6-0 to take the championship.
The Ladies ‘A’ event belonged to defending champion Marta Andrekovic. Controlling her matches all the way through the draw, Andrekovic scored a 6-1 victory over first time finalist Monica Eickmeyer in the championship match. The Ladies ‘A’ consolation title went to Janet Bradley with a dominating 6-0 victory over Monika Andrekovic. The Ladies ‘B’ final saw a great match between Maria Donkers and Cox Wensink. A late service break gave Donkers a 7-5 win to take the title. Shawna Stonehouse took the Ladies ‘B’ consolation title in a walkover.
Bill White
(l to r) Janet Bradley , Ladies ‘A’ consolation champion; Monica Eickmeyer , Ladies ‘A’ finalist ; Marta Andrekovic , Ladies ‘A’ champion ; Maria Donkers , Ladies ‘B’ champion ; Cox Wensink , Ladies ‘B’ finalist , Shawna Stonehouse , Ladies ‘B’ consolation champion
(l to r) Bob Tamblyn , Men’s ‘A’ finalist + Grant McPherson , Men’s ‘A’ champion
(l to r) Marcel Lundrigan , Men’s ‘B’ consolation champion + Stuart Arkett , Men’s ‘B’ consolation finalist
Mike Schiedel
Greg Misener