Australians win another five titles

Australians do well at the ITF World Individual Titles in Perth

Robyn Castle & Tom Hancy, 15-Nov-2009; Photos courtesy of Tim Clayton

In a tight battle, Kerry Ballard (pictured) got Australia off to a great start on Finals day at the ITF Super-Seniors Individual Championships in Perth. Kerry defeated close friend and team mate of many years Elizabeth Allan, 64 76. Yesterday, Kerry and Elizabeth combined to win their ninth World doubles title together. Today it was a fine display of stroke making and hotly contested points, but Kerry always seemed to have the edge. Kerry has achieved a unique treble, winning the singles and doubles titles at these Individual Championships and captaining the winning Alice Marble Cup team.

Phil Higgs (pictured), playing in his first World singles Final, displayed great consistency of shot-making and returning along with fine volleying to surprise a determined top seeded Peter Adrigan (GER) in the major upset of these Championships. Peter had dispensed with several Australians in previous matches and was looking most comfortable on the grass. Phil turned in a great display winning 76 76, to become the World 65 Men’s Champion.

The third major title came when Margaret Robinson (pictured) overcame Mary Boswell (USA) to win her second successive women’s 75 singles in straight sets, 75 64. Playing on her home courts, consistency and placement were the hallmarks of this fine win.

In the men’s 80 singles, Ward Hillier (pictured) needed seven match points and six deuces to take the title from Clem Hopp (USA). In an outstanding display of under spin on the grass and deft placement of superb volleys, Ward held off an equally determined competitor in three sets 62 36 63.

In the women’s 70 singles, defending champion Jeannine Lieffrig showed her class by outplaying Mary Gordon in winning 64 62. Mary got away to an excellent start by leading 42, but Jeannine slipped into top gear and took the game away from Mary.

However, Mary, in combining with Nola Collins, enjoyed success in the W70 doubles. Nola’s fine returning and placement together with Mary’s volleying and smashing took them to victory in three sets 46 63 62 against Jeannine Lieffrig and Audrey van Coller (RSA).

Ellie Krocke (NED) produced another surprise of the Championships when she defeated current World champion and top seed Heide Orth (GER) in the final of the W65 singles. Ellie produced an outstanding series of wins taking out her singles championship without dropping a set, with today’s result being 76 62.

In the M60 singles Terry Smith was outclassed by Hans Adama van Scheltema (NED) and Fred Farzanegan (USA) outlasted Australian Bruce Rehn in the M70 singles, taking it in three sets, after losing the first 61, he took the next two 63 75.

In Doubles action, Canada’s Lorne Main and compatriot Gordon Verge found enough form to overcome the “big Americans” John Powless and Richard Doss, taking the M75s in two sets, 76 63. Third seeds Robert Duesler and George Sarantos beat the Brits, Clive Hutchings and Rod Petchey to win the 70s, having put out the favoured pair of Aussie Peter Froelich and USA’s King Van Nostrand in the semi, 76 in the third!

Doubles competition in full swing

#1 seeds in the 65s, Jimmy Parker and Ken Robinson (USA) met with a determined Fred Drilling (USA) and Henry Michael (AUS) to go down 36 46. In the 60s, British pair and defending champs, Keith Bland and Richard Tutt “met their Waterloo” against Brian Cheney (USA) and John Paish (GBR) in what must be considered an upset, losing in straight sets, 26 36.

Disappointingly, in the W75s, our Aussie team of Peg Hoysted and Margaret Robinson were defeated by USA’s Mary Boswell and Lee Burling, 75 62. (Another top seed to bow out.) It happened again in the 70s, this time when Aussies Mary and Nola beat the favoured South Africans, 46 63 62. The W65s was won by the #1 seeds, Petro Kruger and Heide Orth, when they defeated Aussies Heather McKay and Helen Muir, in a see-sawing match, 62 06 61. It was a phenomenal seventeenth World Doubles crown for Elizabeth Allan and a tenth for Kerry Ballard when they overcame USA’s Martha Downing and Kathleen Bennett, 64 64. Now that’s a record that will surely never be beaten! Liz started her winning ways in 1993, Barcelona, with a win in the 40 Doubles. Kerry has won nine with Liz, and one with Queenslander Wendy Gilchrist. Congratulations to both ladies on a sensational result!

Australians won 3 of the 6 Men’s Singles, and 2 of 5 Women’s Singles, with another 8 Men and 5 Women winning won Gold medals in the Doubles. These Australians, 18 Gold medallists, as well as the many more who featured in the semis and quarters, have been working hard at their game. To do as well as they have in international competition is no mean feat and they do it with very little outside support. When one considers the millions paid to bring players to the Australian Open or to support a motor Grand Prix each year, it is disappointing that more support is not given to Seniors and Super Seniors who have been and continue to be the backbone of support in our tennis clubs throughout Australia.

Without financial support many of the players who have performed so brilliantly in the past two weeks, sadly, will not be able to go to Turkey next year to defend their titles as the cost is too prohibitive. Sponsorship would be so important to these players who have supported this sport of tennis for most of their lives, and justly deserve support in return. Even 60+ players have a FUTURE!