Wednesday 9 April 2008
Top Seeds Flourish in Hardcourt Champs
The Wilson Vic Hardcourt Champs produced few surprises last week, with the tournament’s
seeded players battling it out in both the Men’s and Women’s Singles and Doubles events.
Number 3 seed Joshua Crowe celebrated with a hard-earned victory over the tournament’s
top seed Marinko Matosevic in the Men’s Singles Final. Crowe was easily overpowered in the
first set, but he dug deep to record a memorable 2-6 7-5 7-5 victory over the tournament
favourite.
It was a different story in the Women’s Singles event however, where number 8 seed Jenny
Swift and the 10th seeded Hayley Ericksen defeated much more highly fancied opponents in
the earlier rounds of the competition, for a place in the final. NSW youngster Swift had earlier
eliminated number 2 seed Chloe West 6-1 6-0 in the quarter finals, before accounting for 7th
seed Nancy Ferguson 6-1 6-1 in the semis. The 10th seeded Ericksen also produced some
fine results on her way to the final, defeating top seed Julia Moriarty 6-1 6-4 in the other
quarter final. In the end, Swift proved far too strong for Ericksen, taking out the Women’s
Singles title in convincing fashion with a 6-4 6-0 victory.
Results in the Men’s Open Doubles proved that the tournament rankings were no fluke, with
the top seeded team of Marinko Matosevic & Mikal Statham making it through to the final
against the number 2 seeded team of Bryce Durham & David Spierings. The top seeds
proved too strong, triumphing 6-2 6-2 in a fine display.
In the Women’s Open Doubles, number 3 seeds Alyssa Hibberd & Vicky Stuckey overcame
the top seeded team of Hayley Ericksen & Julia Moriarty in the semi final with a 6-3 7-5
victory, before coasting to a 6-1 6-1 success over the 2nd seeded Veronica Makovey &
Shannyn Ricketts in the final.
Hibberd & Stuckey had been pushed hard on their way to the tournament decider, with a 7-5
7-5 result against Nancy Ferguson & Bonnie Pearson in the opening round, before a tough
three-set encounter
against Amy Shipperd & Alex Whitehead in the quarter finals. Their
persistence and professionalism were rewarded however, with the pair outclassing their rivals
when it counted most.
About Tennis Victoria
Tennis Victoria is the governing body of tennis in the state of Victoria and is responsible for
the overall management, promotion and development of the game. More information on
For further information please contact:
Dave Kristy
on 8420 8420 or
kwebster@tennis.com.au
NEWS 
