Day 5, Semi-finals Day

Individual Performances at the World Super-Seniors in Perth

Robyn Castle & Tom Hancy, Nov 14, 2009; Photos courtesy of Tim Clayton

Seven Australians have won their way through to the finals of singles to be decided tomorrow at the Super-Seniors Individual World Championships in Perth, while others have already completed theirs. In the 85MS, reigning World champ Neville Halligan retained his title, this time against a fellow Aussie, Arthur Newnham.

Neville Halligan

Arthur Newnham

In the 75WS, Margaret Robinson defeated her Doubles partner, Peg Hoysted, 62 61 and will meet Mary Boswell (USA) who held off a determined Ilse Michael (Germany) 46 75 62 in a match that lasted about three hours. In the 70s, Mary Gordon defeated compatriot Nola Collins, 62 63, to set up a meeting with Jeannine Lieffrig (RSA) who defeated Ros King (USA) 61 60.
 

Ellie Krocke (Netherlands) continued on her winning way to defeat Susy Burggraf (Switzerland. She will meet World #1 Heide Orth (GER) who defeated South African Petro Kruger in another long and hard fought three setter winning, 26 76 63 in the Women’s 65s.
 

In the Women’s 60, two unseeded Australians will meet in the final after impressive displays in their respective matches. Kerry Ballard defeated USA’s Martha Downing 64 61 and Elizabeth Allan defeated Marjory Love (GBR) 64 62 to set up a most interesting contest. Elizabeth has previously won two World singles titles while Kerry is in search of her first title. Together they took out the Doubles with a 64 64 win over Americans Kathleen Bennett and Martha Downing. This gives Elizabeth a phenomenal 17 consecutive World Doubles titles. Nine of these have been with Kerry. What a record!

Kerry Ballard

Elizabeth Allen

In the 60 Men’s, top seed Hans Adama van Scheltema (Netherlands) will meet Aussie Terry Smith, the eleventh seed, after Terry defeated Gerhard Thaler (GER) 61 62. Terry played impressively and seems to have recovered from suffering severe dehydration during the latter stages of the teams’ event.
 

Peter Adrigan (GER) was most impressive in his win over Australian Dennis Bindon winning 60 61, in the Men’s 65s. Peter has seemingly become stronger on the grass as the week has progressed and is handling the speed and bounce with great confidence. A surprise result was Phil Higgs’ win over former British Davis Cup player and Wimbledon semi-finalist Mark Cox. Phil won the third set 60 after splitting the first two sets 64 46.
 

In the 70 Men’s, fourth seed Fred Farzanegan defeated Tony Harkin 61 64 and will meet tenth seed Bruce Rehn who defeated Ian King 76 61 . Big serving John Powless (third seed) will meet compatriot King van Nostrand (second seed) in the Men’s 75s after John convincingly defeated Alan Hocking in straight sets. Van Nostrand had defeated another American, Neil Hurlbut in the other semi, 75 61.
 

Harward Hillier outlasted Tony Franco (USA) in a tough three setter, winning 64 26 64 and will meet USA’s Clem Hopp in the final of the Men’s 80. Clem defeated our Aussie stalwart, Doug Corbett in another long and close three set match, 36 64 63.
 

There are many Australian Finalists in the Doubles events, too, which will be scheduled after the Singles. W75’s #1 seeds, Peg Hoysted and Margaret Robinson will face Americans Lee Burling and Mary Boswell for the title. In the 70’s we have #2 seeds Nola Collins and Mary Gordon lining up against the #1 seeds from South Africa, the talented and experienced pair, Jeannine Lieffrig and Audrey Van Coller.

Heather Mackay in action

In the 65s, seasoned campaigners and #1 seeds Heide Orth (GER) and Petro Kruger (RSA) have defeated Aussies Heather McKay and Helen Muir (seeded 3) in a se-sawing match,
In the Men’s, the 85s has been decided, which gives Nev Halligan his second title, and he was well supported by his Aussie partner Frank Thomas. The Americans, seeded #1, and defending champions, Franco and Nichols were focused in the Men’s 80s, and they proved better on the day, beating our two former World Champs, Doug Corbett and Ward Hillier 64 63.
Lorne Main found form with his compatriot Gordon Verge, as they toppled the favourites and # 1 seeds, Richard Doss and John Powless, in a hard fought 76 (3) 63 win, to take the 75s.
In the 70s, top seeds Clive Hutchings and Rod Petchey (GBR) will battle it out with the #3 seeds, Americans Duesler and Sarantos who took a huge third set Tie-break to put out Aussie Peter Froelich and King Van Nostrand in the semi. We have an Aussie in the 65 Men’s, Henry Michael, playing with USA’s Fred Drilling (#2 seeds) who dared to dispose of Phil Higgs and Don McIndoe in straight sets, facing up against the top seeds, Jimmy Parker and Ken Robinson (USA). The 60s has no Australians, but the #1 seeds will test themselves on grass, having won on clay twice in Turkey in ‘06 and ’08. Keith Bland and Richard Tutt (both GBR) will play third seeds Brian Cheney (USA) and John Paish (GBR). It should be an interesting encounter.
 

Whatever the outcomes, Senior Tennis is the winner, with all these people proving they are leading a fit and healthy lifestyle. But we may ask – is there no other reward than the pleasure of competing? We need a generous sponsor who can give a few extrinsic rewards to these amazing athletes! Is anybody out there listening?