Tweed Tennis by Peter Luc
AFTER getting through the NE NSW round robin stages, then two levels of Champion of Champions events, some of our best juniors recently headed down to Penrith/Richmond for the Medibank NSW State Final.
Bushfires caused the event to be delayed for a fortnight.
In the under-12 boys, Brandon Stockwell won his first round-robin match in a third set tie-break that took just under an exhausting three hours, beating the number 11 seed 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (7-5). After completion of the round-robin pool, Brandon finished third.
Flyn Schieb, also decided to make the trip worthwhile, completing his first-round match in just under three hours. Having won the first set in a tie-break, the opposing number five seed proved a bit too strong. Flyn also finished third in his pool.
In the under-14 boys, Teva Leibo, number 12 seed, had a close match against the sixth seed before finishing third in his pool.
Louis Clark, number eight seed, had a tough first round come from behind win 3-6, 7-5, 6-2 in 2.5 hours before winning his next matches comfortably to top his pool and make the quarter-finals. After rain delays, Louis went down fighting to the number two seed 1-6, 5-7.
Brodie Clifford-Mullen, number 11 seed, won his first two round-robin matches comfortably, before scoring a big come-from-behind win over the number seven seed 6-7, 6-2, 6-4, in another three hour match, to top his pool and secure a quarter final berth. In the quarter-final, Brodie was up against the top seed and fought valiantly going down 0-6, 4-6.
In the under-16 boys, William Bagnall struck the top seed and another seeded player on day one but played well. On day two, his efforts paid off with a win and a third place finish in his pool.
Tailey Beaver, number 14 seed and our only female rep player at the state final, won her day one pool matches in brilliant fashion to be sitting equal first, with her day two match against the top seed to determine the player through to the quarter-finals. Tailey got off to a slow start but fought back hard in the second set to nearly send it to a third set decider but went down 0-6, 5-7.
With our juniors beating higher-ranked seeded players or playing so well against the top seeds, it was a great effort by all.
