On the hottest pennant day for a few years, 3 out of 6 teams won.

Tennis Victoria BRTA

Section 3 Maccabi 3-5-41 defeated Overport Park 3-3-39

Jordan Jaffe 7-8
Rafael Epstein 2-8
Jonny Henquin 0-8 (Walkover)
Steven Kleytman 8-2
Jordan Jaffe/Rafel Epstein 6-4 6-4
Jonny Henquin/Steven Kleytman 6-4 6-3

After thinking all week we would have to forfeit, we were able to orchestrate a team and have a match - was truly a miracle.

In the singles, Jordan played a very powerful lefty in a very even match that went down to the wire. After going down 5-1, in the tiebreak, Jordan fought his way back but sadly went down 6-8 in the tiebreak to go down 7-8. Raf played an extremely good no.2 who was very hard to compete against, unfortunately Raf wasn’t able to ever get going and went down 2-8. Whilst Steve played very consistent and smart tennis to end up taking an easy 8-2 win. 

Now unfortunately for Jonny, even though we had let the team know he would be a bit late, and even though there was no court available for him to play singles even if he had been there, Jonny’s opponent was not happy with the timing and in principle told us he wanted Jonny to forfeit his match. Unfortunately because of the rules we had to accept what they said but safe to say it was definitely not in the spirit of the game as there was not a court free until 2:30pm and Jonny had got there by 1:50pm. 

However, this fuelled Jonny for the doubles, he was determined to ensure the team would get the win even though we were 3-1 down. Therefore, Jonny and Steve played exceptionally well together, playing consistent and aggressive tennis to win in straight sets. Whilst even though Jordan and Raf’s doubles only started at 4pm, Jordan and Raf’s level slowly increased as the match went on, playing exceptional tennis and hitting some incredible volleys and groundstrokes to win in straight sets and take the victory on a way too hot day.

Ultimately, was one of the most hard working victories in my pennant career. Don't think there’s too many more excited than Jonny with this win, sure to say, the return leg next year against Overport will be one for the ages.

- Jordan Jaffe

Section 4 Maccabi 2-3-37 defeated by Hastings 4-6-56

Rob Minc 7-8
Steve Gostin 3-8
Joel Rabinov 0-8
Lachie Zuker 8-4
Rob Minc/ Steve Gostin 3-6 6-4 7-6
Joel Rabinov/ Lachie Zuker 3-6 0-6

On the en tout cas of Hastings we played doubles first (with courts opening up later in the day).

Rob and Steve were in their now customary close doubles match, (and facing yet another left hander). They dropped the first set 3-6 before stepping up to take the 2nd set (6-4) and the matchtiebreak (10-7).

Lachie and Joel were on serve at 3all, before it all went downhill (nothing positive to report after).

Joel's horror show of a day continued against a power player.

Lachie played a leftie and got the early break. At 4-3 he made his move to seal a 8-4 win.

Steve was in his usual contest at 3all. However the earlier doubles win came back to bite, with Steve hitting the wall, going down 3-8.

Rob got out to the early lead and had match points at 7-6, however he went down in the tiebreak.

Overall: Another close round (well for 3 of us). Needless to say I won't be rushing to head back to Hastings any time soon: the holdups on the M11 (going at walking pace for 10 minutes on multiple occassions) summed up my day.

- Joel Rabinov

Section 5 Maccabi 3-4-37 defeated by Carmelite 3-4-44

Ilay Givoni 3-8
Marcus Frajman 2-8
Ian Altman 8-6
Nathan Rapoport 8-6
Ilay Givoni/ Ian Altman 3-6 1-6
Marcus Frajman/ Nathan Rapoport 6-3 6-1

A close 3-3 loss for our team. A lack of practice and a big forehand from his opponent was too much for Marcus. Ian started brightly but his noisy opponent came back into the match before Ian steadied to win the last four games of the match. Ilay was locked in a high quality encounter but his opponent came up with the goods. Nathan came back from 4-0 down in the heat as his opponent fatigued to claim a rousing victory.

Both doubles matches were relatively one-sided. Marcus and Nathan played well together. Ilay and Ian acquired valuable experience playing against seasoned doubles players.

- Marcus Frajman

Section 6 Maccabi 3-4-46 defeated by Tennis World 3-4-52

Ryan Behr 8-5
Steve Bendel 8-5
Rod Bloom 0-8
Zvi Schweitzer 8-3
Steve Bendel/ Rod Bloom 0-6 6-7
Ryan Behr/ Zvi Schweitzer 7-5 3-6 6-7

In a tightly contested day, our Section 6 team displayed tenacity, and occasional skill, but ultimately fell short against Tennis World, losing by 1 set. It was rollercoaster day, with scorelines swinging more than madame guillotine during the French Revolution.

Steve and emergency buddy Rod’s comeback from 0-6 was Trump-esque, narrowly missing out taking the 2nd set in a tie-break. Zvi and Ryan played solid tennis to take out the 1st set, but were then outgunned by the opposition going down in 3.

Steve gets player of the match simply for his dogged determination in a high-quality, very long singles match, despite the Saharan conditions and his glucose levels off the chart. Zvi had a walkover as his young opponent was clearly intimidated, and a tad too hot. Rod went down to a big-serving tough opponent, while Ryan scurried to a win in a match where, had there been an audience, they would’ve undoubtedly asked for a refund.

While the result was a little disappointing – our first loss of the season – we can hold our head high after a valiant effort and no doubt a return to our winning form next week.

- Ryan Behr

Section 9 Maccabi 4-5-51 defeated BLTC 2-4-49

Ben Pollak 8-5
Saul Jayes 8-3
Errol Dorfan 8-7
Jesse Stowe-Lindner 8-3
Ben Pollak/ Jesse Stowe-Lindner 5-7 6-4 6-7
Errol Dorfan/ Jack Stock 2-6 6-7

Singles was fantastic from all four of Ben, Saul, Errol and Jesse who filled in once again. Errol in the tightest game, able to win in a tiebreak, although Errol, from his own admission made it more nervy than needed.

Doubles unfortunately wasn’t ideal. Errol and Jack, who was back for his first game back from being away for a month, never could find real momentum on serve and although the second set was tight, couldn’t get over the line. 
Ben and Jesse started well but couldn’t quite close it out when serving for the first set at 5-4. They ended up losing the first set and although came back well to win the second set, lost convincingly in the tiebreak.

Big thank you to Jesse for filling in once again, a very good up and coming player for Maccabi. 

Onwards and upwards, we continue our undefeated run to begin the season, let’s continue to go from strength to strength!!

 - Ben Pollak

Section 10 Maccabi 4-6-57 defeated Hawthorn  2-3-36

Sebastian Raboy 8-6
Stephen Gorenstein 6-8
Stephen Kleid 8-3
Ashley Raboy 8-7
Sebastian Raboy/ Ashley Raboy 6-3 6-0
Stephen Gorenstein/ Stephen Kleid 6-3 3-6 6-7

Hot and blustery conditions, we played all 4 x singles first, during the hottest part of the day. 

Great win team!!

- Ash Raboy