On a perfect Melbourne spring day, one out of five Maccabi teams won (Section 9 had the bye). There are two rounds to go in the home and away season before finals.

In his second match for Maccabi, Section 4 player Daniel Sneider had an impressive 8-4 win on the grass at Black Rock. He is pictured below with Section 4 team captain Joel Rabinov.

A friendly reminder that 2025 membership fees are now overdue and must be paid ASAP if you wish to be included in the Winter Pennant teams: https://play.tennis.com.au/maccabitennisclub/Membership.

BRTA

Section 3 Maccabi 1-2-27 defeated by Highmoor 5-7-54

Jordan Jaffe 3-8
Marty Schwarz 0-8
Aaron Kramer 8-1
Ben Pollak 1-8
Jordan Jaffe/ Aaron Kramer 3-6 6-2 6-7
Marty Schwarz/ Ben Pollak 0-6 0-6 (Forfeit)

On some of the nicest clay courts I’ve ever played on, we started with singles. Jordan started well against an excellent Argentinian, taking a 3-0 lead, but his opponent stepped up his level significantly to win 8-3. Marty unfortunately wasn’t feeling too well and tried his best to play but couldn’t get anywhere near his level, going down 0-8. Aaron on the other hand was playing really well, controlling the points and hitting some incredible shots, leading him to a 8-1 win. Whilst, Ben who we are very thankful to for filling in, tried his best and played at a good level, but went down 1-8. 

In doubles, as Marty wasn’t feeling well we unfortunately had to forfeit one of the doubles. But Jordan and Aaron played one of the highest quality and most enjoyable doubles games they have been apart of. In a game with some insane rallies and reflexes, Jordan and Aaron dropped the first set 6-3, then gained momentum and played exceptionally well to win the 2nd 6-2, but then went down in a super.

- Jordan Jaffe

Section 4 Maccabi 2-2-33 defeated Black Rock 4-6-52

Steve Gostin 2-8
Lior Rauchberger 6-8
Daniel Sneider 8-4
Joel Rabinov 8-7
Steve Gostin/ Lior Rauchberger 3-6 0-6
Daniel Sneider/ Joel Rabinov 5-7 1-6

On a overcast day on the soft grass courts at Black Rock, we opted for doubles first.

Lior (filling in) and Steve were in a close first set, before going down (3-6, 0-6). 

Daniel and Joel got the break for 3-2 and had 4-2, 15-40. Unfortunately they didn't take their chances as they didn't get the 2nd break. From there, the opposition stepped it up a level (as well as winning all the 50:50 points) to win it 7-5, 6-1.

Steve played an aggressive player who wanted short points. Steve was on serve at 2all, before his opponent stepped up to take it 8-2.

Lior played a fellow leftie and did well for a 5-2 lead. However the opponent steepped it up and took the win 8-6.

Daniel served well and earnt a 8-4 win (his first for the club).

Joel was always ahead (got the break for 5-3 and cemented it for 6-3). The oppoinent stepped it up for 6all. Joel played the rest of the match passively but was always ahead (had 7-6 and 0-30) as well as 4-0 in the tiebreaker (and match points at 6-3). Fortunately the opponent missed a forehand on the third match point for a 8-7 win to Joel.

Overall: Felt good to play on a grass court (first time Joel has had that luxury). Guess the biggest difference was unexpectedly, the ball dropping out of nowhere. Balls that should have gone to the back fence dropped onto the baseline. Onto next week for our final home match of the season.

- Joel Rabinov

Section 5 Maccabi 2-2-32 defeated by Beaumaris 4-6-50

Gilad Nagar 8-6
Ilay Givoni 8-4
Ian Altman 1-8
Nathan Rapoport 4-8
Gilad Nagar/ Ilay Givoni 1-6 3-6
Ian Altman/ Nathan Rapoport 4-6 3-6

Doubles:

Ilay and Gilad had a tough time adjusting to the clay courts and their opponents shots. Everyone hit many double faults and the points were short resulting in a 1-6 start. In the second set Ilay and Gilad managed to find some rhythm playing good quality points but were unfortunately unable to win them all causing a 1-6 3-6 loss. 

Nathan and Ian played two doubles masters, one of which is on the masters circuit. They had many close points and a long first set. Unfortunately they went down 6-4 6-3 after a long tiring match.

 

Singles:

Gilad had a change of pace starting his singles as well as his opponent who wouldn't miss a winner. At 3-1 down Gilad had decided to change racket which had ultimately helped him come back from 4-2 to an 8-5 win.

Ilay had many good points against his opponent, while keeping a lead against his opponent Ilay managed to win 8-4

Ian was playing a strong player who wouldn't miss a shot. They had incredible long rallies but unfortunately Ian went down 1-8.

Nathan was the last player on court playing someone who too doesn't miss a shot. Nathan managed to get a 4-0 lead before his opponent started changing his strategy allowing him to come back, resulting in an 8-5 loss.

MVP: Gilad

- Ilay Givoni 

Section 6 Maccabi 2-4-45 Lost to Kings Park 4-5-53

Jan Tenenberg 5-8
Steven Bendel 6-8
Daniel Henquin 1-8
Zvi Schweitzer 8-4
Jan/Steven 7-5 6-2
Adam Needleman/Zvi 5-7 6-4 1-6

It is never a satisfying day when you feel you are the better team but lose. Everything that could go
wrong did.
Jan Tenenberg was up 5-2 before injury struck.
Steven Bendel was 6-6 before a few iffy calls changed the match.
 Adam and Zvi lost a doubles match but felt that we were a better pair ( down 0-5 in the first
set was the main reason for the loss ).
The final four in a strange way has taken shape with us( coming 2 nd ) losing to the fourth place team today .
The second best team on talent (if they played their best four) look unlikely to make finals now. So
maybe a smart loss although it did not feel that way.

- Adam Needleman

Section 9 BYE

Section 10 Maccabi 6-8-57 defeated Glenhuntly 0-0-22

Sebastian Raboy 8-1
Jaxon Brick 8-5
Stephen Gorenstein 8-5
Ashley Raboy 8-4
Sebastian Raboy/ Ashley Raboy 6-1 6-0
Jaxon Brick/ Stephen Gorenstein 7-5 6-1

Playing Doubles first, we had Doubles Pair No.1:   1. SEBASTIAN RABOY and 4. ASHLEY RABOY Win 6-1, 6-0. A really good win, managing to confidently put enough pressure to win well.

Doubles Pair No. 2: 2. JAXSON BRICK and 3. STEPHEN GORENSTEIN winning in straight sets too, but having a close 1st Set 7-5, and then 6-1.

Singles followed with:

1. SEBASTIAN RABOY on fire  winning 8-1.

2. JAXSON BRICK not having played for the whole season till today's match slotted in well to win 8-5.

3. STEPHEN GORENSTEIN had a good win putting on the pressure on his opponent to win 8-5 too.

4..ASHLEY RABOY it was going with serve until Ashley's serve was broken 3-4, and then managed to play better tennis to put pressure on his opponent, breaking back and holding serve, to then win the remaining games, winning 8-4.

Great to finally have JAXSON BRICK play in our team today and really proud of how we all played today, well done team!!

- Ash Raboy