Sport
Tennis hotshots battle it out for huge prize at the 2023 Victorian Grasscourt Championships
Tennis aces from across the country are battling it out for their share of $20,000 in prize money at the 2023 Signature 20K Victorian Grasscourt Championships in Shepparton.
The tournament, being hosted by Shepparton Lawn Tennis Club, is one of the showpiece events on the Tennis Victoria calendar.
Play at the week-long event commenced on Monday, with local competitors Isabella Crossman and David Poole flying the flag for the region.
Poole, who plays for Numurkah in the GMLTA, started his week off with a win in the men’s singles qualifying round of 32.
He defeated William Jesser 7-5, 6-3, but lost to Adrian Correa in the round of 16, 6-7, 6-3, 10-5.
Poole enjoyed a win in the opening match of the men’s doubles draw as well, with him and partner Rhys Edwards advancing after a three-set victory.
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Locked and loaded: Taya Powell gets ready to take her serve. Photo by Aydin PayneImage 2 of 9
Ready for action: Breanna Cerasa waits to return serve during a women's doubles match. Photo by Aydin PayneImage 3 of 9
Backhand: Nina Krecklenberg gets ready to return the ball. Photo by Aydin PayneImage 4 of 9
Winner: Kaylah McPhee unleashes a strong shot. Photo by Aydin PayneImage 5 of 9
On the volley: Jemma Carbis plays a shot close to the net. Photo by Aydin PayneImage 6 of 9
Follow through: Ruby Ward plays a shot during her women's doubles match. Photo by Aydin PayneImage 7 of 9
Full stretch: Danielle Badman lunges to reach the ball. Photo by Aydin PayneImage 8 of 9
Top seed: Women's singles top seed Monique Barry travelled from Western Australia to take part in the Victorian Grasscourt Championships. Photo by Aydin PayneImage 9 of 9
Fist pump: Indiya McLeod and Nina Krecklenberg share a mini celebration after winning a point in the women's doubles. Photo by Aydin PayneTaking on Tommy Ginzburg and Paul Howe, Poole and Edwards dropped the first set 5-7.
But they bounced back after that, taking out the second set 6-4 before winning the decisive third set 10-6.
At the time of printing, the duo was set to take on Omar Fields and Stefan Vujic on Wednesday afternoon, but the match had not been completed.
Meanwhile, Crossman battled hard and played well in her opening round women’s singles clash, but ultimately bowed out to eighth seed Alicia Smith 6-3, 6-2.
In the doubles, Crossman — who is from Torrumbarry and plays for GMLTA side Shepparton Lawn Tropics — had better luck.
Her and partner Piper Freeman were too strong for Christina Dodaj and Kristanna Gjomakaj, 6-4, 6-2 in the opening round, but their run stopped in the quarter finals.
Taking on third seeds Jelena Cvijanovic and Elicia Kim, Crossman and Freeman fell 5-7, 7-5, 10-8 in a tight and hard-fought contest.
Crossman and Freeman had four match points in the second set, but the pair was unable to convert, before Cvijanovic and Kim earned victory in the super tiebreaker.
Play in the men’s and women’s singles and doubles will continue with quarter-final and semi-final matches on Thursday before finals on Friday.