XAVIER Kendall defeated his coach Bill Madafferi to claim his maiden Red Cliffs Lawn Tennis Club men’s open singles title.
In an epic final, Kendall came from behind to defeat Madafferi 6-4.
“Bill is my coach so he knows my game pretty well – he knows my strengths and my weaknesses,” Kendall said after the win.
Both players struggled to hold serve, but at four all, Kendall was able to break Madafferi and then served out the match, much to his relief.
“When I thought I was getting on top, he just seemed to be able to find a way to break back,” said Kendall.
“Bill never gives up, he doesn’t care what the score is, he always thinks he can win.
“We spend so much time together, hitting and talking about tennis so I knew when I had to play him in the final it was going to be a really tough match.”
Reigning champion Troy Kelly failed to make the semi-finals, comfortably defeated in the preliminary rounds by Broken Hill’s Ross Casey, 6-2.
Casey was unable to carry his form into the semi-final, proving no match for Madafferi, who cruised through to the final winning 6-1.
Kendall also had little trouble in his semi, defeating Patrick Reincke 6-3, who also travelled from Broken Hill for the annual event.
It was a successful day for Kendall, who teamed with fellow Mildura Lawn Tennis Club junior Zac Galbraith to win the men’s open doubles championship 8-4 over Broken Hill pair Reincke and Casey.
In the women’s open singles, Paige McLean won her second successive title defeating Tena Williams.
William’s put the disappointment of her singles loss behind her to claim the doubles crown, teaming with Steph Lines (24/11). Runners-up were McLean and Heather Olofsson (22/11).
More than 120 players took part in this year’s tournament and although entries for the ladies’ events were down, club president Gavin Lynch was pleased with the overall standard.
“The men’s competition was very strong again and it was great to see so many players come down from Broken Hill,” Lynch said.
Results
Men’s open singles: Xavier Kendall d Bill Madaferri 6-4.
Ladies open singles: Paige McLean 22/14 d Tena Williams 14/22.
Men’s A Grade singles: Bregan Soh d Andrew Molloy 6/5.
Men’s B Grade singles: Andrew Molloy 28/8 d Jo Jacob 13/19.
Men’s open doubles: Xavier Kendall, Zac Galbraith d Ross Casey, Patrick Reincke 8-4.
Ladies open doubles: Tena Williams, Steph Lines 24/11 d Paige McLean, Heather Olofsson 22/11.
A grade men’s doubles: Matthew Hancock, Grant Hancock 30/12 d Marty Smith, Brian Vorvek 25/17.
Ladies A Grade doubles: Lucy Sharp, Chloe Williams 16/9 d Katie Kealley, Lynne Thurlow 9/16 .
Men’s B Grade doubles final: Rob Keens, James Sharp 30/14 d Trewern Rowlands, Peter Clark 26/15.
Twilight 60 plus Men’s A Grade: Reg Arney, Zac Galbraith 16/8.
Men’s B Grade: Brad Lever, Paul Kealley 18/5.
Men’s C Grade: Gavin Lynch, Rob Hayes 18/9.
Ladies A Grade: Karen Sharpe, Tena Williams 16/8.
Ladies B Grade: Judy Stewart, Janet Cairns 18/4.
