Throughout the month of August, the Stratford Tennis Club played out their annual Club Championship tournaments. With 42 entries in the men’s singles and 17 entries in the ladies singles it was a full month of play. Players started in the ‘A’ division and those who lost their first round matches moved to the ‘B’ division. Championship night was full of familiar faces and a few new comers. 

The Men’s ‘A’ final made history. Nine time Men’s ‘A’ singles champion Bob Tamblyn had advanced to the final with complete control of his matches. Tamblyn took out hard hitting Grant McPherson in his semifinal with a 6-3 6-0 win. Tamblyn won the Men’s singles title at the Southhampton Tennis Club the previous weekend on their fast, hard courts and returned to play on the slower clay surface of the Stratford club. Entering the final Tamblyn was tied with Velma Hansford with 27 total championship titles at the Stratford club, a modern day record. (modern day refers to the Stratford club’s play at the current Upper Queen’s Park location) A win would give Tamblyn the Club record.

His opponent in the final was junior phenomena Luke Fischer. In a round of 16 Fischer took out 2011 finalist Kurt Eickmeier, then followed that by dispatching defending champion Richard Bast in three sets in the quarter-finals. He outlasted #3 seed Jason Erb in a semifinal scoring a 4-6 6-2 7-5 win. The 14 year old Fischer is the second youngest men’s finalist in club history, being 8 days older than Bill Sibold when he appeared in the 1981 final.  A win by Fischer would make him the youngest Men’s ‘A’ champion in the history of the Stratford Tennis Club. 

The championship match saw the long, strategic rallies typical of both players games. Power tennis was replaced by smart, tactical tennis with many great gets and the use of angles. The young Fischer found out that you can play a great match and still not get great results when you play Tamblyn. The savvy veteran stayed on top of Luke and scored an impressive 6-0 6-1 victory. This gave Tamblyn his 10th Men’s Singles title, a club record, and a historic 28th overall title…. a new club record.  

The Ladies ‘A’ final was a rematch of last year’s final between Krista Plociennik and Marta Andrekovic. Plociennik who has won four straight Ladies ‘A’ titles and 6 overall, advanced to her 8th straight finals by defeating Sandie Ennett in straight sets in her semifinal. Andrekovic  advanced to her second straight final by taking out newcomer Rileigh Jackson 6-2 5-7 6-1 in her semifinal. Andrekovic had previously won the Mixed Doubles title (with Bob Tamblyn) and the Ladies Doubles title (with daughter Sonja) by beating Plociennik and her partners in the finals. Andrekovic would go for the triple crown in a singles final between the undisputed, top two women players at the Club.

The championship match saw Andrekovic come out determined and with a great game plan. Andrekovic controlled the rallies from the start, avoiding Plociennik’s powerful forehand and dictating play with great serving and well placed ground strokes. The first set went to Andrekovic, scoring a 6-2 win in one of the most impressive sets played at the Club all season. With her back against the wall in the second set Plociennik found a way to make a dent in Andrekovic’s game with powerful and deep forehands. Plociennik finally broke Andrekovic’s serve in the middle of the set and took the second set 6-3.

In the final and deciding set Andrekovic took advantage of Plociennik’s backhand to open the court for her well placed ground strokes. Plociennik countered with better depth on her shots to get some short balls which she could then attack. The evenly played match turned with Plociennik getting a late service break. She then held her serve to secure her 5th straight Ladies ‘A’ title with the 2-6 6-3 6-3 win. It was easily the match of the night and one of the best Ladies ‘A’ finals ever played at the Club.

The Men’s ‘B’ final saw defending champion Steven Schwartzentruber facing first time finalist Mike Blackburn. Schwartzentruber advanced to his second straight ‘B’ final by dispatching Ryan Lay 6-4 6-3 in his semifinal. Blackburn had taken out Stephen Fischer 4-6 6-3 6-1 in his semi.

The final match was full of long rallies. Both players held their serves until Blackburn was able to break Schwartzentruber in the ninth game to take a 5-4 lead. Blackburn served for the first set but Schwartzentruber broke right back and then ran through to a 7-5 first set victory. Blackburn recovered and took control of the second set with a 6-3 second set win. A third set was needed to determine the title. Schwartzentruber showed his mental toughness and physical determination, running down all balls and making each rally last as long as possible. His determination paid off as Schwartzentruber took the final set 6-3. The 7-5 3-6 6-3 victory gave Schwartzenruber his second straight Men’s ‘B’ championship.

The Ladies ‘B’ final also saw a player trying to repeat as champion. 14 year old Nicolle Crowley would take on Michele Thomson for the title. Crowley had gotten past Janessa Chambers in her semifinal, while Thomson advanced to the title match with a 6-3 6-3 win over Gayle Brooks. 

The championship match was  similar to the Men’s ‘A’ final. There were long rallies and good play but the challenger had no luck in scoring game wins. Crowley was dominant with well placed ground strokes and big serving. Thomson, playing in her first Club Championship final, played well but had no answers. Crowley scored a   6-1 6-0 victory to claim her second straight Ladies ‘B’ singles championship.

 Bill White

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

2014 AUGUST E NEWS from the STRATFORD TENNIS CLUB

The often rain delayed STRATFORD TENNIS LEAGUE completed its regular season this week. The early game saw Snap’d take on Sunrise Health Services. Play began with Sunrise taking the #1 Ladies Doubles as Marta Andrekovic and Naomi Lange downed Linda Doig and Deb Murphy 6-4  6-3. Snap’d rebounded winning the #2 Ladies Doubles with Marilyn Leasa and Michele Thomson taking out Erma Weernink and Marilyn Holmes 6-1 6-2. The #1 Men’s Doubles had teams split sets as Grant McPherson and Chris Parson of Snap’d took the first set 6-3 before Paul Coates and John Fischer of Sunrise responded with a 6-1 victory in the second set. Snap’d dominated the #2 Men’s Doubles as Luke Fischer and father Stephen Fischer rolled over Ryan Lay and Cameron Kramer 6-1 6-1.

The #1 Mixed Doubles went to Sunrise as Andrekovic and Coates edged Doig and McPherson 6-4. Lange and John Fischer took the #2 Mixed Doubles for Sunrise doubling up Murphy and Parson 6-3. Sunrise continued its success with Weernink and Lay winning the the #3 Mixed Doubles 6-4 over Leasa and Luke Fischer. The #4 Mixed Doubles went to Snap’d with Thomson and Stephen Fischer taking out Holmes and Kramer 6-1. The match ended with each team winning 6 sets.

The late game was not as close. Auto Works got their game in gear and dominated Donkers Agri. The #1 Ladies Doubles saw Johanna Billings and Cox Wensink of Auto Works defeat Sandie Ennett and Maria Donkers 6-4 6-3. Auto Works also took the #2 Ladies Doubles with Nancy Chung and Cathy Mowbray scoring a 6-3 6-0 win over Lindsay Murray and Debbie Mitchell. The #1 Men’s Doubles saw Richard Bast and Brent Hiller of Donkers win the first set 6-2 while Jeremy Chisholm and Murray Schiedel of Auto Works took the second set 6-1. The #2 Men’s Doubles went to Todd Chisholm and Mike Schiedel of Auto Works who downed Lanny Hoare and Stuart Arkett 6-4 6-4. 

Donkers took the #1 Mixed Doubles as Ennett and Bast edged Billings and J. Chisholm 7-5. Auto Works won the #2 Mixed Doubles with Wensink and Murray Schiedel scoring a 7-6 (7 points to 5 in the tie-breaker) victory over Donkers and Hiller. Chung and Todd Chisholm of Auto Works won the #3 Mixed Doubles 6-3 over Murray and Hoare. Auto Works completed their domination in the #4 Mixed Doubles with Mowbray and Mike Schiedel shutting out Mitchell and Arkett 6-0. In their best result of the season, Auto Works cruised to a 10 sets to 2 sets victory.

The regular season ended with Snap’d holding onto first place. Donkers Agri and Auto Works tied for second place in number of sets won, but Donkers won the spot with a better games won/games lost differential. Sunrise Health Services finished one set behind to finish in fourth place. Next week, the playoffs begin with the early game seeing first place Snap’d facing fourth place Sunrise Health Services. The late game is second place Donkers Agri taking on third place Auto Works. 

Week 5 in the Stratford Tennis League saw a couple teams score impressive wins and take a significant step up in the standings. The early game saw Donkers Agri flatten Auto Works 9 sets to 3 sets. The beating started in the #1 Ladies Doubles as Donkers’ Sandie Ennett and Maria Donkers scored a 6-2  7-6 (7 points to 2 in the tie-breaker) win over Johanna Billings and Cox Wensink. Nancy Rheaume and Liz Yundt of Donkers took the #2 Ladies Doubles 6-2  6-4 over Nancy Chung and Sandra Hofing. The #1 Men’s Doubles had a split of sets as Auto Works’ Jeremy Chisholm and Murray Schiedel cruised to a 6-1 win in the first set before Donkers’ Richard Bast and Pat McCarroll rebounded to take the second set 6-4. The #2 Men’s Doubles also had a split of sets with Todd Chisholm and Gary Henry of Auto Works winning the first set 6-4 and Wayne Carney and Bill Steele of Donkers taking the second set 6-4.

Donkers’ Ennett and Bast won the #1 Mixed Doubles 6-3 over Billings and Jeremy Chisholm. The #2 Mixed Doubles also went to Donkers as Donkers and McCarroll dominated Wensink and Schiedel 6-1. Rheaume and Carney of Donkers won the #3 Mixed Doubles 6-4 over Chung and Todd Chisholm. Auto Works took the #4 Mixed Doubles as Hofing and Henry downed Yundt and Steele 6-3.

The late game also saw a decisive victory as first place Snap’d doubled up second place Sunrise Health Services 8 sets to 4. Sunrise got off to a good start as Krista Plociennik and Nicolle Crowley won the #1 Ladies Doubles with a 6-3  7-5 victory over Linda Doig and Naomi Lange. The #2 Ladies Doubles went to Snap’d as Marilyn Leasa and Michele Thomson topped Erma Weernink and Marilyn Holmes 7-5  6-4. The #1 Men’s Doubles had Chris Parson and Grant McPherson of Snap’d take the first set 6-4 before falling to Paul Coates and John Fischer of Sunshine 6-4 in the second set. Snap’d swept the #2 Men’s Doubles as Luke Fischer and Steve Fischer scored a 7-6 (7 points to 4 in the tie-breaker) 6-4 win over Steven Schwartzentruber and Ryan Lay.

The Mixed Doubles opened with a 6-4 win for Sunrise as Plociennik and Coates defeated Doig and McPherson in the #1 match up. The #2 Mixed Doubles saw Lange and Parson of Snap’d cruise to a 6-2 victory over Crowley and J. Fischer. Leasa and Luke Fischer won the #3 Mixed Doubles for Snap’d edging Weernink and Schwartzentruber 6-4. Snap’d sealed their big win taking the #4 Mixed Doubles as Thomson and Steven Fischer crushed Holmes and Lay 6-1.

After 5 weeks Snap’d continues to hold down first place in the standings. Donkers Agri has moved into second place with Sunrise Health Services falling to third place and Auto Works sitting in fourth place. Next week will see the same teams face each other again in a rained out game from earlier in the season. The early game has Snap’d facing Sunrise Health Services and the late game has Auto Works taking on Donkers Agri.

Bill White

Maria Donkers of Donkers Agri connects on a backhand in the ladies doubles.

The Stratford Tennis Club held a junior doubles tournament this past weekend. With the Club Championship tournaments approaching, players got some valuable doubles experience. Nicolle Crowley and mixed doubles partner from last season Ryan Lay decided to enter the boy’s doubles to prepare them for the tough matches they will see in the Club Championship mixed doubles events. Players ranged in age from 8 to 15 years old and experience level but the matches were close and played at a high level.

The girl’s doubles saw Ashley Humphrey and Isabelle Thibeault continue their 2014 success. Playing each other in the final of both junior singles tournaments the girls teamed up in the doubles and went on to win the championship with an 8-6 victory over Crowley and Amelia Jackson. The final was highlighted by many great rallies and dramatic moments. Humphrey and Thibeault proved steadier at the end leading to their title.

The girl’s ‘B’ final had Megan Furlong and Mackenzie Dumais take on youngsters Lauren Okrainec and Alison DeJong. Furlong and Dumais were able to hold off the future stars taking the ‘B’ title with an 8-3 victory.

The boy’s doubles final had Crowley and Lay facing Luke Fischer and Evan Moorehead. The calibre of play was exceptionally high and had several momentum shifts. Close right until the end eventually Fischer and Moorehead were able to edge Crowley and Lay 8-6 to take the championship. The boy’s ‘B’ final was even closer. A tie breaker was needed to determine the winner with Jared Larder and Matthew Vandewiel scoring a 7-4 win in the tie breaker to win the title over Luke McCarroll and Collin Rose. Another close final was held in the boy’s ‘B’ event. Kadin Dench and Marcel Lundrigan were able to hold off Michael Vandewiel and Marcus Nicholson taking the title with an  8-6 win.

Bill White

THE WINNERS

After another rain out last week, the Stratford Tennis League got back to action this week. The early game saw Auto Works take on Sunrise Health Services. The match began with a split in the #1 men’s doubles as Tom Warnock and Steven Schwartzentruber of Sunrise edged Luke Fischer and Jeremy Chisholm 7-6 (7 points to 3 in the tie-breaker), but Fischer and Chisholm rebounded getting Auto Works on the board with a 6-4 win in the second set. Sunrise swept the #2 men’s doubles match as Tyler Kocher and Cameron Kramer downed Todd Chisholm and Gary Henry 6-2 6-2. The #1 ladies doubles had Johanna Billings and Naomi Lange of Auto Works win the first set 6-4 , while Krista Plociennik and Ginny Smith of Sunrise took the second set 6-4. There was another split in the #2 ladies doubles as Nicolle Crowley and Marilyn Holmes took the first set 6-4 for Sunrise before Cathy Mowbray and Sandra Hofing secured the second set for Auto Works with a 7-6 (7 points to 4 in the tie-breaker) victory.

The #1 mixed doubles went to Sunrise as Plociennik and Warnock cruised to a 6-1 win over Billings and Fischer. Lange and J. Chisholm hammered Smith and Schwartzentruber 6-1 to take the #2 mixed doubles for Auto Works. Auto Works also won the #3 mixed doubles match as Mowbray and Todd Chisholm nipped Crowley and Kocher 7-6 (7 points to 5 in the tie-breaker). Auto Works continued their hot streak when Hofing and Henry scored a 6-2 win over Holmes and Kramer in the #4 mixed doubles. The mixed doubles success allowed Auto Works to come back and tie the match as each team won 6 sets on the night.

The late game was a battle for first place. Going into the match Snap’d and Donkers Agri were tied for top spot in the standings. The match began with the #1 men’s doubles splitting sets. Snap’d took the first set as Grant McPherson and Chris Parson scored a 6-3 win but Donkers responded by taking the second set as Richard Bast and Wayne Carney scored a 7-6 (7 points to 5 in the tie-breaker) win. The #2 men’s doubles saw Larry Shurrie and Stephen Fischer of Snap’d sweep Mike Furlong and Bill Steele 6-4 6-0. Donkers dominated the #1 ladies doubles as Krista Plociennik (subbing in for her second match of the night) and Maria Donkers clobbered Linda Doig and Deb Murphy 6-0 6-0. Snap’d won the #2 ladies double with Marilyn Leasa and Michele Thomson downing Lindsay Murray and Liz Yundt 6-2 7-5.

The #1 mixed doubles went to Donkers as Plociennik and Bast scored a 6-2 win over Doig and McPherson. Donkers took the #2 mixed doubles with Donkers and Carney downing Murphy and Parson 6-1. The #3 mixed doubles went to Snap’d with a 6-3 victory by Leasa and Shurrie over Murray and Furlong. Thomson and Fischer scored a 6-2 win over Yundt and Steele to give the #4 mixed doubles to Snap’d. The match ended with Snap’d winning 7 sets to Donkers 5 sets, giving Snap’d sole possession of first place.

 Week 5 will see Auto Works take on Donkers Agri in the early game , while Sunrise Health Services will face Snap’d in the late game.

Bill White