3 out of our 7 teams collected the win. Have noticed quite a few people taking inspiration from Carlos Alcaraz, with the drop shot being effective.

Below: Grade 10 team (Sebastian Raboy, Ash Raboy, Jack Stock and Daniel Goodrich) at Coatesville with the torch for the Maccabiah Games.

Tennis Victoria Winter Pennant

Grade 5 Section 3 Maccabi 2-2-39 defeated by Eildon Park 4-6-49

Jordan Jaffe/ Marty Schwarz 3-6 4-6
Jonny Henquin 2-6 4-6
Jordan Jaffe 4-8
Jonny Henquin 8-6
Marty Schwarz 6-8
Steve Kleytman 8-3

Playing against the top and undefeated team at their home, was not going to be an easy task. But we were ready to give it a crack as everyone had to play people with a higher UTR than their own.

Jordan and Marty gave it their all, trying to be as attacking as possible but just falling short to the class of the opposition in straight sets. Jonny and Steve started slow but started to gain momentum in the second set, before also going down in straight sets - a match they knew if they had again, they could definitely win.

In the singles, Jordan was forced to play his absolute best and played one of his best performances for the year. Unfortunately, Jordan went down 8-4, but was jumping with joy as he was extremely proud to get 4 games against probably the best player in the entire grade (outside of our Asaf duo), with Jordan’s opponent having a UTR of 9.7!

Jonny continued his incredible undefeated singles streak, making it 5/5 for the season. Although there was a slight scare after going 4-1 up to 4-4, Jonny’s positive attitude and incredible skills on the court helped him to a 8-6 win.

Marty unfortunately started slow against a very skilful opponent. Going down 2-7, but did exceptionally well to rise his level and get it back to 6-7 before going down 6-8.

Whilst Steve did what a perfect number 4 does. Won 8-3 with ease and just played consistent tennis to get us our 2nd rubber for the day.

Overall, our toughest match yet, but that’s what happens against the best opposition. We certainly look forward to playing them with our dominant duo on the return leg.

- Jordan Jaffe

Grade 7 Section 4 Maccabi 3-5-45 defeated Kings Park 3-3-41

Rob Minc/ Damon Flicker 6-2 6-2
Saul Muscatel / Steven Gostin 5-7 6-2 4-10
Rob Minc 3-8
Steven Gostin 8-6
Damon Flicker 8-6
Saul Muscatel 3-8

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Grade 8 Section 3 Maccabi 4-6-51 defeated Kings Park 2-2-37

Marcus Frajman/ Ryan Behr 6-2 6-4
Lachie Zuker/ Darion Pohl 6-3 6-3
Marcus Frajman 8-1
Ryan Behr 5-8
Lachie Zuker 5-8
Darion Pohl 9-8

Straight sets wins in the doubles rubbers gave us a strong platform on which to build. Lachie and Darion played together for the first time - Darion's net play and Lachie's ball striking were a feature. Marcus and Ryan partnered for the first time in a long time and quickly found their rhythm.

In the singles, we did not have it all our own way. Ryan was outgunned by a strong lefthander. Lachie was plucky to keep fighting even though things weren't going his own way. Marcus won convincingly and Darion recorded an important win in the closest match of the day.

- Marcus Frajman

Grade 8 Section 3 Maccabi 1-2-25 defeated by Burden Park 5-6-47

Ilay Givoni/ Nathan Rapoport 1-6 6-4 8-10
Joel Rabinov/ Giora Lichtenstein 2-6 0-6
Ilay Givoni 8-1
Joel Rabinov 1-8
Nathan Rapoport 6-8
Giora Lichtenstein 1-8

Away against the unbeaten Burden Park (on their mod grass courts), we had a fill in (thank you for Giora for filling in).

Ilay and Nathan didn’t know what hit them in the opening set: lucky to not cop a bagel (1-6) against a consistent left hander and a big hitting right hander. They then regrouped and took the 2nd set 6-4. They led for the majority of the match tiebreak, but fell short 8-10.

Joel and Giora had chances in the opening game and 5th game, but were unable to get the break. All downhill, for 2-6, 0-6.

A similar match for Joel; chances early but not capitalising. Had 1-0 and 0-40 hit not breaking against a player whose eas serving like a metronome: must have been at 90% first serves. Joel then had 40-15 and didn’t hold serve. Again went downhill for 1-8.

Ilay dropped the opening game. But then stepped it up and playing at a high level for a 8-1 win.

Giora found the going tough, playing against opposition that are stronger than what he is use to, going down 1-8.

Nathan played in by far the closest match. Down 2-5, he fought back for 6all in a match that had craftiness. Unfortunately his opponent regrouped, to prevail 8-6.

Overall; a tough day. Personally, one of the toughest days of tennis for a while. Playing passively, not hitting any forehand winners in the singles. The thing I was most worried about returns, was the best part of my game and up to standard. Everything else wasn’t even close, missing regulation shots. Next week a home match as we hope to regroup and get back on the winners list.

 - Joel Rabinov

Grade 10 Section 4 Maccabi 4-5-53 defeated Coatesville 2-3-41

Daniel Goodrich/ Jack Stock 5-7 5-7
Sebastian Raboy/ Ash Raboy 6-3 6-3
Daniel Goodrich 8-4
Sebastian Raboy 9-8
Ash Raboy 8-1
Jack Stock 6-8

Daniel and Jack fought hard in doubles but just coming off short in both sets.

Sebastian and Ashley played well to win convincingly 6-3; 6-3.

For Daniel, the best he has played in singles for a while.

Sebastian's singles match was a nail-biter, very close could have gone either way. 

The opposition had an emergency player that was pretty good, and considering it was Jack's first week back after breaking his left thumb and no practise, he did well succumbing to Xavier the emergency.

Meanwhile, I knew my opposition player, Daniel, whom used to play either my son Gabriel for years, and just remained steadfast and determined to show my dominance.

Great win today!!

Thank you to Jack Stock⁩ for bringing the Games Torch and the debrief after our win 🏆

- Ash Raboy

Grade 11 Section 2 Maccabi 1-1-29 defeated by BLTC 5-7-54

Jesse Stowe-Lindner/ Jonah Stowe-Lindner 6-4 1-6 10-5
Russell Golden/ Jacob Nathan 2-6 4-6
Jesse Stowe-Lindner 6-8
Russell Golden 4-8
Jonah Stowe-Lindner 4-8
Jacob Nathan 2-8

Some pleasing signs, particularly in the doubles. Two closes matches. Great for Jonah and Jesse to play after earlier winning their junior finals - a lot of tennis for them and a lot more to follow in the years to come! Russell and Jacob played together for the first time. Some close matches in singles too.

Grade 12 Section 3 Maccabi 2-4-43 defeated by Upwey South 4-4-46

Stephen Gorenstein/ Allan Sheffield 7-5 4-6 8-10
Daniel Brami/ Paul Kovacs 6-3 4-6 1-10
Stephen Gorenstein 8-5
Daniel Brami 4-8
Allan Sheffield 2-8
Paul Kovacs 8-5

Gorenstein and Sheffield burst out of the gates, storming to a 5-0 lead. But the Upwey South duo refused to roll over. Bit by bit, they clawed their way back into the match, chipping away at the deficit. The Maccabi pair held on to take the first set 7-5. The shift in momentum saw Upwey edging out the second set 6-4. With the match locked at one set apiece, it all came down to a super tiebreak. Stephen and Allan fought hard, but under pressure, untimely unforced errors combined with some clutch serving from the Upwey side, was just enough to tip the scales. Maccabi fell 10-8 in a dramatic, hard-fought decider.

The pairing of D. Brami and P. Kovacs looked dominant early, taking the first set 6–3 with the help of some well executed lobs that their opponents did not handle well. However, cracks began to show in the second as Upwey South shifted the momentum, serving strongly and returning with real venom. Paul was particularly impressed by the reach of one of the Upwey duo, who managed to smash down several higher shots that seemed well out of range. The Maccabi pair dropped the second set 4–6, and the match tiebreak turned into a one-sided affair. Dan and Paul could only watch as their opponents surged to a 10–1 rout. Still, they were pleased to have taken a set off a very tough team.

In a gripping singles encounter, Stephen Gorenstein produced one of his most composed and tactical performances this season to claim a hard-fought win against a formidable opponent who had lost only once all season. The match began in challenging fashion for Gorenstein, who was up against a young and confident opponent. Within minutes, Gorenstein found himself trailing 0–4 as his opponent dictated play with pace and power. However, just when the momentum seemed firmly against him, Stephen adjusted his game plan. He slowed down the rallies, took the pace off the ball, and expertly disrupted his opponent’s rhythm. The shift in tactics paid dividends as errors began to creep into his opponent’s game, and frustration set in. What followed was a textbook comeback. Gorenstein, not known for deviating from his baseline-heavy style, displayed incredible tactical maturity. He controlled the tempo, extended rallies, and kept his opponent off balance throughout the second half of the match. With momentum on his side, Stephen clawed his way back into the contest and eventually surged ahead, sealing the comeback with a brilliantly executed 8–5 victory.

Dan started brightly, racing to a 4–0 lead fresh off his doubles match, while his opponent was still finding his rhythm. Having played him before, Dan knew he had to strike early—before his rival had a chance to warm up. Unfortunately, it was all downhill from there. As his opponent found his timing, the momentum shifted. He played a strong match, not only clawing back the deficit but pushing beyond it. Most games went to deuce, with the Upwey player saving break points and capitalizing on his own chances. No excuses his opponent was simply better on the day but the final scoreline didn’t reflect just how tight the match truly was.

It was a tough day at the office for Allan, who stepped in this week to fill the gap for our absent base players. Having not played competitive tennis for a while, he faced a practised opponent in blistering form. He got off to a promising start, taking the first game and even breaking his opponent’s serve. Unfortunately, from that point on, it was all one-way traffic. Allan gave it his all but never quite found his rhythm. Upwey South’s player expertly exploited the gaps, dictated the rallies, before finishing points with clinical precision. Despite his best efforts, Allan couldn’t turn the tide going down valiantly 2-8.

Before the match, Paul’s young 18-year-old opponent was confident. “This won’t take long,” he said. It was to be the classic time-old matchup: experience vs. exuberance. Paul did his thing — consistent on his serves, solid at the net, and full of classic trickery when required. For his young opponent, used to pace and more conventional angles, this was a nightmare. As Paul surged ahead on the scoreboard, confidence quickly turned into doubt. Errors crept in, and patience wore thin. Paul wrapped up the match in comfortable fashion, 8–5, in what was a thoroughly enjoyable contest to witness. It was a tough lesson for his opponent, who, to his credit, showed genuine admiration and respect after the match.

 -  Daniel Brami