By Michael Esposito
HILLSIDE’S Dayne Kelly made it to the semi finals of the WM Loud Bendigo International pro tour event before being knocked out by Queenslander Benjamin Mitchell on Saturday in straight sets, both of which went to a tie-breaker.
Kelly, who represents Williamstown-based tennis club Liston, caused one of the upsets of the tournament when he defeated fifth seed Dennis Bloemke of Germany in round one, and continued his superb form to beat New South Welshmen James Duckworth and Adam Feeney, both in three sets, in the round of 16 and quarter finals respectively.
Kelly, Australia’s 16th ranked male, could not hold his nerve against Mitchell, losing two hard-fought tiebreakers 9-7 and 15-13.
Kelly recently had success as the number one tennis player for Liston, which took out Tennis Victoria’s premier league competition in November.
Fellow Brimbank player Stefani Stojic competed in the women’s draw of the same event, but was knocked out in the first round to sixth seed Eirini Georgatou of Greece.
The 15-year-old St Albans girl is Australia’s 59th ranked female.
