By LIAM TWOMEY
LISTON Tennis Club powered to victory in the final of the Asia Pacific Tennis League Championships last week at Melbourne Park.
The Seagulls’ star-studded team of Sam Groth, Matt Reid, James Lemke and Rubin Statham were rarely challenged throughout the preliminary stages of the competition and they managed to keep that form going into the final rounds.
Played during the excitement of the Australian Open and involving some of the tennis world’s best young talent, the Seagulls defeated ATP Sydney in the final, 4-2.
As he has done for the past two seasons, Groth and his massive serve led the way for Liston, defeating Adam Feeney in straight sets while Lemke also won his singles rubber easily to get the tie off to a great start.
Australian Open Wildcard Playoff runner-up Reid was forced to work harder in his match before rallying to defeat Greg Jones.
The news wasn’t as good for Statham, who went down in a tight three-set match with Sydney fighting to keep the tie alive.
The comeback was short lived though, with the pairings of Groth and Reid and Statham and Lemke securing the victory and kicking off the celebrations.
Liston Tennis Club President Gary Clark was rapt with the result.
“To win an ATL after five years of hard work is a sensational outcome and all involved in this journey should be very proud,” he said.
“After being in the wilderness for 40 years it is great to see a team from the Western Suburbs make state grade tennis and go on to win an ATL Championship.”
