Liam Kerr came from a set down to beat Marco de Groot. PHOTOS/FILE
TENNIS
CHRIS COGDALE
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Masterton White caused a minor upset to beat Martinborough One in the opening round of the Wairarapa men’s interclub tournament for the Shirley Corlett Trophy.
The combination of Kelby Courtney and Liam Kerr came from a set down in the decisive doubles to beat the experienced pair of Chris Wilkie and Marco de Groot 4-6 7-5 10-5 in a super tiebreaker.
Earlier, Kerr bounced back from losing the first set 2-6 to de Groot to win the second set 6-3 and force a super tiebreaker, which he won 11-9.
Defending champions and favourites Masterton Blue had to work hard in a 3-0 victory over Opaki Black.
Boon Huxtable easily won the battle of the number ones over Richie Day 6-2 6-0, but Rhys Hooper was pushed all the way by Nathan Riwai-Couch before prevailing 6-4 6-4.
Huxtable and Hooper looked set for a comfortable win after taking the first set of the doubles 6-3, only for Riwai-Couch and Day to win the second set 6-4. That forced the match to a super tiebreaker, which the Masterton pair won 10-7.
Masterton also got off to a flying start in the women’s interclub tournament edging Martinborough One in a closely fought tie.
Martinborough’s Martha Wojcikowski prevailed in the battle of the number ones 1-6 6-4 10-6 over Netia Morison, and Hilda Holman beat Karen Delahunty in straight sets 6-2 6-3. Morison and Hilman then combined to take the doubles 6-4 6-3.
Martinborough Two completed a clean sweep in the clash with Martinborough Three.
Elizabeth Whitaker defeated Ella McWilliams 6-0 7-5 at the top of the order, and Gabbie Nicholson beat Melinda Marshall 6-2 6-2.
The fresh legs of Alice Whitaker and Francesca Wells were too good for McWilliams and Marshall in the doubles, comfortably winning 6-4 6-3.
The clash of last year’s finalists Martinborough One and Masterton Blue, to be played on the grass in Martinborough is the highlight of Friday night’s second round.
Opaki Red play Martinborough Two, and Thistle Building take on Masterton White in the men’s competition.
The Martinborough One and Three teams will meet in the women’s championship, and Masterton will host Martinborough Two.
