OVERCAST weather and with rain forecast, the final of the men’s and women’s State League turned on some great tennis but few upsets.
Any idea of a rain delay was dismissed by Royal Kings Park Tennis Club (RKPTC) women as they raced through their match delivering a 4-0 rubber, 48-19 games one-sided final with all singles won in straight sets .
A big crowd, including tennis royalty Margaret Court, watched fine grass court tennis lead by RKPTC’s number one Bojana Bobusic.
Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE
Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.
READ NOWBobusic, undefeated this year, tore through the first set 6-0 against Blue Gum’s Katy O’Shea before O’Shea settled but couldn’t prevent a 6-4 second set.
Post-match, O’Shea admitted that “they went into the match with nothing to lose”.
She also signalled that “after 15 years in State League, I’m taking a break from tennis and relocating to Melbourne”.
After such a distinguished record, the WA tennis scene will miss her big hitting and matching personality.
The emphatic win was set up by RKPTC’s Nina Catovic 6-1 6-2 over Sheridan Currie; Brittany Sheed 6-3 6-4 over Marissa Gianotti and Janelle Cuthbertson over Blue Gum’s Hannah Innes 6-3 6-2.
The doubles weren’t required as RKPTC celebrated a great return to State League, having led all season.
For Blue Gum, it was their second heart-breaking runner -up title in a row.
In the men’s event, Mosman Park were away to Cottesloe and were keen to atone for last year’s loss to Hensman Park.
In a surprise change of order, Cottesloe listed their normal number three Joel Pleydell to play Mosman Park’s number one Brydan Klein.
The move did not pay off despite a tight first set 7-6 tiebreak won by Klein.
Hampered by a back injury, Klein – ranked number 343 in the world – did enough to see off the challenge and Klein won the second set 6-2.
Cottesloe’s Tristan Schoolkate played in the second slot against Aaron Leeder-Chard with the gamble looking in trouble early as Leeder-Chard took the first set 6-2.
With both players putting on a great display for the large crowd, it was Schoolkate who fought back to claim victory 2-6 6-3 7-6.
Wins by Mosman Park’s Alex Downey over Will Hann 6-2 7-5 and a win by Brenton Bacon over Cottesloe’s Andrew Roberts 6-2 6-4 meant that the final was already wrapped up by the visitors with no need to play the doubles.
The victory was Mosman Park’s first ever win in State League.
Following the tie, Klein said “to win State League is a great honour. It’s the first time I’ve won it and it’s special to have been a part of the first winning team for Mosman Park”.
“I’ve always tried to use State League as part of my training blocks when I am back in Perth,” he said.
“It is a great way to give a bit back to the WA tennis community and I enjoy playing and training with the Mossie Park boys.”
Klein has been a regular in this year’s State League in a competition that has included Davis Cup stars John Peers and Matt Ebden as well as other touring professionals such as Dane Propoggia, Gavin Van Peperzeel and Frank Moser.
MORE: Man, woman charged after large meth bust at Perth hotel
MORE: First AFL game at Optus Stadium stretches Transperth to capacity