On a hot February day, 4 out of 6 Maccabi teams won.

A reminder to pay membership ASAP as this is now overdue: https://play.tennis.com.au/maccabitennisclub/Membership/Join

Tennis Victoria BRTA

Section 3 Maccabi 3-3-33 defeated by Ormond 3-5-43 

Jordan Jaffe 8-1
Aaron Kramer 8-4
Steven Kleytman 3-8
Saul Muscatel 8-5
Jordan Jaffe/Aaron Kramer 1-6 5-7
Steven Kleytman/Saul Muscatel 0-6 0-6

Back after 6 weeks off, we were treated with a very hot 32 degree day with absolutely no wind. Starting in singles, Jordan played an older player but played smart and consistent tennis to win 8-1. Aaron played a teenager who he had lost previously to quite a few times, but managed to use those losses to his advantage and win 8-4. Steve struggled against a very talented no.3, going down 3-8. Whilst, Saul did what he had to do and won 8-5, a match which included some excellent serving games form Saul.

By the time of the doubles, it was very hot and safe to say, most of us were very exhausted. Jordan and Aaron didn’t start well, getting destroyed in all facets of the match. However, in the 2nd set, they started to get going. Attacking more and controlling the points to get to a 4-0 lead. Unfortunately, the opposition started to play well and the fatigue kicked in resulting a 5-7 loss. Whilst, for Steve and Saul, things did not go well whatsoever, as nothing worked and they both couldn’t get to their best levels as they went down in 2 sets.

- Jordan Jaffe

Section 4 Maccabi 0-1-42 defeated by Hurlingham Park 6-8-58

Rob Minc 5-8
Steve Gostin 5-8
Daniel Sneider 6-8
Lachie Zuker 6-8
Rob Minc/ Daniel Sneider 2-6 6-1 6-7
Steve Gostin/ Lachie Zuker 3-6 3-6

On the mod grass courts, doubles was played first.

Daniel Sneider (playing in his game for the club) and Rob Minc played against some hard hitting players (a left hander). Daniel and Rob struggled to get going for 2-6 as they got use to each other's games. Rob and Daniel lifted in the 2nd set for 6-1. Unfortunately in the match tiebreaker, they played too passively, going down 12-10 after having 2 match points.

Steve and Lachie didn’t play well, going down for a 3-6, 3-6 loss in their first loss as a doubles pair together.

Rob dropped the opening 2 games, playing catchup. However he was in it against a player who had been injured for the prior 3 months of the season. Unfortunately Rob went down 5-8.

Lachie and his opponent kept holding serve. However Lachie faltered to get broken for 6-7, before losing 6-8.

Daniel struggled initally, losing the opening 7 points of the match (first 3 didn't land a return) against a familiar leftie for most of us, Alan Liebowitz. Anyway he evenutally got going in a see sawing affair. Like the rest of the team, went down in a close one (6-8) afterbeing up a break for 6-5. 

Steve gave a 0-3 head start against a hard hitting leftie. Steve dragged it back to 5all before unfortunatley a shocker of a service game at 5-6 which led to 3 double faults ended his chances, going down 5-8.

Overall: The story of our season. Keep losing the 50:50 moments and matches. Onto next week at Black Rock.

- Joel Rabinov

Section 5 Maccabi 4-6-51 defeated Elsternwick Park 2-3-48

Geoff Rosenberger 8-7
Arvid Kreimer 6-8
Marcus Frajman 8-7
Ian Altman 2-8
Geoff Rosenberger/ Marcus Frajman 6-3 6-3
Arvid Kreimer/ Ian Altman 2-6 6-0 7-6

A hard-earned win on the awkward Elsternwick Park synthetic courts. We could have easily been down 4-0 after singles. Arvid started brightly in the heat and led 4-0 before his opponent came back into the match. Arvid had two chances to take it to a tiebreak but fell just short. Ian, who has been enjoying a strong season to date, didn't play his best tennis today. Geoff was locked in a very tight match against a hard-hitting, big serving opponent. Geoff lost his serve to go down 5-6 and things weren't looking good. However, Geoff showed his trademark grit to break back and force a tiebreak where he prevailed to give us some hope! Marcus was well off the pace at the start and gave his opponent a 5-0 headstart. Slowly working his way into the match and sensing fatigue in his opponent, Marcus' consistency lifted and from 4-7 down, he was also able to take it to a tiebreak and continue his momentum to make it 2-2 after singles.

In doubles, we settled on Geoff/Marcus and Arvid/Ian as our pairs. Geoff and Marcus had enjoyed doubles success recently in a grass court tournament in Benalla (together with President Ryan and Pennant Secretary Adam in the same tournament). This meant that Arvid and Ian would play together for the first time. This showed at first as Arvid and Ian lost the opening set 6-2. From there, Arvid and Ian found their groove and won the next set 6-0! This was crucial to our hopes as we knew we needed to do well in both rubbers to have any chance. Arvid and Ian continued in the super tiebreak, winning 10-2 and giving Geoff and Marcus a big boost! Geoff and Marcus were locked in a tough match against two strong servers. They took advantage of some mistakes from their opponents to win the first set 6-3. Geoff and Marcus were trailing and down a break at 3-2 in the second set before surging over the top to win in straight sets and secure the win for the day. 

- Marcus Frajman

Section 6 Maccabi 6-8-62 defeated Kings Park 0-1-31

Ryan Behr 8-6
Steve Bendel 8-2
Daniel Henquin 8-3
Zvi Schweitzer 8-0
Ryan Behr/ Adam Needleman 7-5 4-6 7-6
Steve Bendel/ Zvi Schweitzer 6-1 6-2

There were good performances wherever one looked in a very strong team performance against the bottom team. Daniel looked impressive in his first competitive match in eight months and Ryan Behr showed his good form has continued into 2025. Steven Bendel did what he always does which is win whilst Zvi lost only three games in a very powerful display.
We are in the top two with three matches to go in a very even enjoyable competition.

- Adam Needleman

Section 9 Maccabi 5-7-53 defeated BLTC 1-2-42

Ben Pollak 8-4
Aden Minaker 2-8
Daniel Vertes 8-6
Daniel Goodrich 8-6
Ben Pollak/ Aden Minaker 2-6 6-3 7-6
Daniel Vertes/ Daniel Goodrich 6-2 6-1

Started with singles, Unfortunately Aden was a bit rusty to start and could never get momentum throughout the match, going down 8-2. The 2 Daniel’s however were in really close games and although Vertes was up 7-4, they both managed to clutch out 8-6 wins. Ben started fantastic, going up 4-0 and although his opponent lifted to get back to 4-2, he managed to close it out 8-4.

Doubles, the Daniels were awesome, and won very easy. Ben and Aden struggled early but lifted in the second set and although was down a match point in the match tiebreaker, managed to hold their nerve and close out a good comeback. 

Overall, big thank you to Aden for filling in and it helps us move clear in top before our bye next week. Big games to come after though

 - Ben Pollak

Section 10 Maccabi 4-5-47 defeated Mentone 2-3-44

Sebastian Raboy 8-5
Stephen Gorenstein 8-7
Stephen Kleid 3-8
Ashley Raboy 8-4
Sebastian Raboy/ Ashley Raboy 6-2 2-6 7-6
Stephen Gorenstein/ Stephen Kleid 4-6 1-6

Match Results, a hot   32 degrees day. The opposition team had 5 x people playing, and we played singles matches first using 3 x courts. Once someone completed their singles, the fourth singles took place. 

When we last played Mentone Green at Mentone TC, we had a really tough day on a scorching day as well, just winning the day. They also used 5 x people then too.

Everyone had tough competive singles matches, and then doubles being played afterwards, in the heat of the day.

We just managed to win again.

Well done team.

- Ash Raboy