MORE than 60 players competed in Sale Tennis Club’s 70th Club Championships on Sunday November 27.
Players enjoyed the now well-settled red porous courts, and with favourable weather thrown in, it was a wonderful full day of tennis.
The Platinum Jubilee Championships consisted of 16 events, ranging from 10 and under singles and doubles, through to Open Men’s and Women’s singles and doubles events.
There was four honour board events contested, and only two of the four events were retained by the 2021 champions.
In the Open Women’s Singles Final, defending champion Jess Board played 2018 champion Jo Rule.
In a tough contest that had the crowd in the John Leslie Grandstand enthralled, Board won in straight sets to make it four consecutive titles.
Board’s tennis continues to improve with each season, and her hard work and dedication is really paying off. She is a great example to other teens of getting the best out of every match and every practice session.
While Board has a long way to go to reach Helen Gerrard’s record of 16 women’s titles, next year she might just catch Krystal Rawnson, who won five in a row from 2006 to 2010, and record her own bit of history on the Sharpe Cup.
In the Open Men’s Singles, the club welcomed a new champion, but certainly not a stranger.
Former club secretary Mark Elliman did what his grandfather Stan Elliman did from 1953 to 1956, by getting his name etched on the W F McLoghlin Trophy.
Elliman played 2021 Open Men’s semi-finalist Marrien Van Den Heuvel, who went one better in making the final in 2022.
Elliman’s strong all round game eventually allowed him to prevail in straight sets with some very exciting tennis played in front of an appreciative crowd on Robin Lowe Arena.
In the 18 & Under Girls Singles Final, Board played Rachael Page.
Page has been quietly developing her game and growing in confidence while assisting club coach Jason Yap with his programs.
The final saw some hard-hitting and great skill before Board won to take her fourth 18 & Under Girls title.
This gave Board a unique record of four consecutive open women’s and four consecutive 18 & Under Girls titles, eclipsing Kelly Hudson who won four and three respectively.
Only Board, Krystal Rawnson and Kellie McKinnon have ever won four 18 & Under Girls Singles.
In the 18 & Under Boys Singles, Josiah Levchenko played Sam Bertino.
Both boys have been playing some high-quality tennis, and won through their early rounds with strong performances.
In the final, Levchenko proved too consistent, with his all round game able to penetrate Bertino’s power and strong running.
Other highlights of the day were:
- Riley Nicholas successful in defending his 16 & Under Singles title from 2021, and winning the 16 & Under Doubles with Louis Lazzaro;
- Glenn Ingram, who only plays once per year, overcame cramp and some very solid opposition to defend his Graded Men’s Singles title from 2021. An outstanding performance;
- In addition to the 18 & Under Boys singles, Josiah Levchenko was also successful in the Family Doubles with his father Nick, and was runner up in the 16 & Under Doubles with his sister Eden;
- Not to be outdone, Judah Levchenko won titles in the 12 & Under Singles and the 12 & Under Doubles with Henry Seeber. The Levchenko family trophy cabinet will be bulging, and;
- The Family Doubles event proved ever more popular, attracting the largest field in any event of the championships. It was the first opportunity for many parents to play a competition match with their children and it is unsure if it was the mums and dads or the children who enjoyed it most. Josiah and Nick Levchenko eventually prevailed against Adelline and Sam Bertino. A special mention goes to Cath Crouch, who won the medallion for ‘Best Post Match Celebration’ – an outstanding performance of unchallenged brilliance.
Photo: Robin Lowe
