Preview of Finals Day...

Robyn Castle previews the finals day at the World Super-Seniors in Perth

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

Individual performances start with QLD’s Nev Halligan, who defended his title of 85+ Singles and topped it off with the Doubles as well. In the 80s, we had Doug Corbett and Ward Hillier battling it out with the yanks, for the “umpteenth” time in Doubles, having played them in Teams as well. Ward also made it to the Singles final, playing arch-rival American Clem Hopp, having beaten #2 seed Tony Franco in the semi.

75s saw unseeded Alan Hocking in great form, defeating the #1 seed, the Frenchman, Henri Crutchet in the Quarters, in what must have been a great match, 36 62 75! He bowed out to the big serving American John Powless in the semi, who has to face compatriot King Van Nostrand in the Final. Tony Harkin surprised even himself in reaching the 70s semi final, going down in a hard fought 4-6 3-6 encounter. Bruce Rehn upset Peter Froelich to advance to the semi final where he outplayed Ian King 76 61, to make the Final against Fred Farzanegen (USA). Australia had 6 players in the last 8 of this event!

Four of the last 8 in the 65s meant that we had a great chance for a Finalist or two, until Bruce Burns was defeated by Peter Adrigan, and Peter Keller went down with a hamstring injury to Mark Cox, a former Davis Cupper and Wimbledon semi-finalist. Not to worry, Phil Higgs dispatched Mark with a resounding 64 46 60 victory, to make it to his first Final. After a great win to Dennis Bindon against Henk Nijeboer (GBR), he sadly went down easily to the #1 seed Peter Adrigan, who incidentally had to change his flight home to compete in the Final.

Dennis Bindon in action

Our hope in the 60s is Victorian Terry Smith, who showed great form in disposing of Austrian Gerhard Thaler, who had put out #2 seed, Hugh Thomson in an epic 6-4 6-7 6-2 semi-final match. He faces the fancied Dutchman, Hans Adama Van Scheltema in the Final. Hans had advanced with a straight sets victory over Great Britain’s Keith Bland.

How about our ladies? We must start by singing the praises of Liz Allan, who has won a phenomenal 17th consecutive World Doubles title, her 9th with Kerry Ballard. Liz started with a win in the 40 Doubles in 1993, Barcelona. Liz and Kerry have also advanced to the Final of the 60Singles, though both were unseeded. Liz took out the #1 seed, Nicole Hesse-Cazaux, and #4, Marjory Love on her way, while Kerry dispatched both the #2 and #3 seeds for the loss of only 5 games in each match. It will be a very interesting encounter between these two ladies!

Liz Allan & Kerry Ballard: 60+ World Doubles Champions

The 65s Final will feature defending champion and #1 seed Heide Orth (GER) fresh from a 3-set match against Sylvie Galfard, and unseeded Dutch woman Ellie Krocke, who has beaten two Aussies along the way, Kim Blackburne and Heather McKay. Krocke won her semi final in fine style, conceding only two games.

Mary Gordon (unseeded) will attempt to topple the talented South African, Jeannine Lieffrig (#3 seed), in the W70s, and then with Nola Collins, in the Doubles, they meet Jeannine and her partner Audrey Van Coller, the #1 seeds, who are in great form, having beaten two “joyful” Aussies in the semi, Joyce Rogers and Joy Rigter. Nola and Mary had beaten Jean Porter (GBR) and June Simpson (AUS) in their semi.

Special favourite lady Margaret Robinson (pictured) from WA, seeded #2, will meet #1 seed Mary Boswell (USA) in the final of the 75WS. Margaret has been around for years, snapping up titles since 2001, when she won the 65 Doubles with Ann Fotheringham. She won the 70 Singles 2 years later, in Turkey, and again in 2005 at Club Ali Bey once more. In 2007, it was a 70Doubles win with Nola Collins, then (in Antalya, Turkey again!) she advanced to the 75s and won the Singles and Doubles in 2008. On home turf, let’s hope it’s another Singles title! After that, with Peg Hoysted, they are slightly favoured to win the Doubles (#1 seeds).

Our dear Elsie Crowe (WA) was defeated in her Singles 6-2 6-4, and will not feature in the 80WS Final, which is between Rita Price (USA) and Betty Howard (GBR). She did, however win the Doubles, with Rita.