On a chilly afternoon, three out of six Maccabi teams won. There are two more matches in December before the mid-season break.

Below: Section 9 team celebrate a win (Ben Pollak, Jesse Stowe-Lindner, Jack Stock and Paul Kovacs). 

BRTA Summer Pennant

Section 3 Maccabi 3-4-41 defeated by Langwarrin 3-4-44

Assaf Drori 8-1
Asaf Nagar 8-4
Marty Schwarz 5-8
Rob Minc 1-8
Assaf Drori/ Asaf Nagar 7-6 7-5
Marty Schwartz/ Rob Minc 2-6 3-6

On what became a very fine day for tennis (after a shoddy morning of patchy rain), the Grade 3 team gave a solid effort against a strong opponent. As usual, Assaf & Asaf were dominant in both singles and doubles (although had a good fight back in the first set against a very powerful server). Marty fought hard in his singles but couldn’t bring it over the line. Rob came up against a strong #4 and couldn’t get much momentum. Marty and Rob had plenty of chances in the doubles but couldn’t convert. Overall a close loss but well fought.

- Marty Schwarz

Section 5 Maccabi 5-7-56 defeated Mentone 1-2-36

Rafael Epstein 8-3
Saul Muscatel 8-4
Luka Federman 3-8
Nathan Rapoport 8-3
Rafael Epstein/ Luka Federman 6-4 4-6 7-6
Saul Muscatel/ Nathan Rapoport 6-0 6-2

A very good all-round performance from all players. Fill-ins Raf and Nathan fitted in beautifully. Saul and Nathan combined very nicely in the doubles. Raf and Luka overcame a 2nd set hiccup to prevail in the tiebreak. A 5-1 win was a fair reflection. 

Section 6 Maccabi 3-5-44  defeated by Tennis World 3-5-53

Dean Steinberg 8-6
Ryan Behr 2-8
Daniel Henquin 1-8
Charlie Landau 8-2
Dean Steinberg/ Charlie Landau 2-6 6-4 2-6
Ryan Behr/ Daniel Henquin 2-6 6-1 7-6

Up against the top undefeated team from Tennis World was always going to be tough.

Even after doubles (again) with 2 see-sawing matches, the day came down (as usual) to singles.

Dean continued his sizzling form winning 8-6.

Daniel’s score of 1-8 did not reflect the closeness of the match, with almost every game going to multiple deuces.

Ryan’s opponent barely raised a sweat as he raced to an 8-2 win.

Charlie played with courage, taking down a former club member in convincing fashion 8-2.

We can be proud of ourselves today, losing only on games – the first time this top team was pushed to 3-3 all season.

- Ryan Behr

Section 7 Maccabi 3-4-41 defeated  Kooyong 3-4-36

Steve Bendel 8-1
Adam Needleman 4-8
Daniel Vertes 8-4
Blake Golden 2-8
Steve Bendel/ Adam Needleman 6-1 6-1
Daniel Vertes/ Blake Golden 1-6 6-7

We have all said that we are not out of the finals race despite losing our first five matches. Winning the last two gives us that chance. Fantastic efforts from Steve Bendel who lost three games all afternoon and Daniel Vertes having to play the last match which was to decide the day with both team’s players courtside. A real clutch win under pressure. Next week we are away at Kings Park in a winnable contest.

 - Adam Needleman

Section 8 Maccabi 1-2-34 defeated by BLTC 5-7-57

Henry Orner 6-8
Ian Altman 5-8
Stephen Gorenstein 4-8
Daniel Brami 2-8
Henry Orner/ Ian Altman 1-6 6-3 7-6
Stephen Gorenstein/ Daniel Brami 1-6 2-6

At the halfway stage of the season: the team looked good sitting 4th on the ladder with a home match against BLTC. Unfortunately the next few hours weren't too good against a side that hasn't lost since round 2.

Henry played an opponent who made more returns than what Henry is used to (with Henry's big leftie serve). Henry going down 6-8.

Ian's first match of the season, a bit rusty but going down 5-8.

Stephen played an opponent who didn't miss in the singles, going down 4-8.

Daniel played the toughest opponent for him so far, going down 2-8.

The opposition actually put their number 1 and 3 in the 2nd pair against Stephen and Daniel, so well and truly up against it. Even the dead let cords kept going BLTC's way, Stephen and Daniel going down 1-6, 2-6.

The first time Henry and Ian played together. A sluggish opening set (1-6), before they stepped it up a few levels to take the 2nd set 6-3 and the match tiebreaker (10-8) to get us a match win.

Overall: The toughest opposition our team has faced so far. They were stronger than the team that we beat in round 1. Onto next week at Highmoor Uniting.

- Joel Rabinov

Section 9 Maccabi 4-6-56 defeated Kooyong 2-3-35

Jesse Stowe-Lindner 8-3
Jack Stock 8-0
Jacob Nathan 3-8
Paul Kovacs 7-8
Jesse Stowe-Lindner/ Jacob Nathan 6-0 6-1
Jack Stock/ Paul Kovacs 5-7 6-2 7-6

On a rainy November Day, I would have gone all in that we would not have a result on pennant match week 8. However, we were blessed that despite an early break in play, we were able to weather the storm and get through a full day of tennis. 

Jesse and Jacob took to the court and were a class above their opponents winning 6-0 6-1. They have shown this season that they are an elite combination. Both players served well, won the baseline rallies and finished off points at the net. Not much more you can ask for!

Paul and Jack took a 4-2 lead before going down 7-5. After a brief rain delay, Paul and Jack took control of the game with Paul serving sensationally and outwitting the opposition. Jack was carried by Paul and was able to compliment PK at the net. PK and JS pounced in the super tiebreak, winning 10-6.

Jesse played against an elite athlete, who managed to get everything back. However, Jesse played some counter punching Tennis of his own, and after being down 2-0, rallied off 8 of the next 9 games, to close out a famous 8-3 victory.

Jack in his first singles match, since snapping his ankle and having surgery, was motivated to show off his new ankle. He played attacking Tennis and stayed focused throughout the match. It was refreshing being back and Jack even delivered his opponent a bagel scoreline.

Jacob played against the strongest opponent of the day and won some excellent points. He deserved to win a few more games. The scoreline was a lot closer than it looked. Jacob showed today that he is very smart at coming to the net and is an incredible volleyer. 

Paul Kovacs, one of the GOATS (Greatest Of All Time) of Maccabi Tennis showed why he is an absolute warrior. Despite the rain falling and the day already won, he kept fighting and grinding out every point, all with a smile on his face. 69 years senior, he ran his opponent all over the court. It was a thrilling match, and it came down to tiebreaker, where his 14-year-old opponent served his way to the win.

It was great to have our captain BP cheering us on today, uplifting our spirits. 

Overall, a very important victory for the boys to stop a 2-game losing skid. If we can close December with a 3-game winning streak, then we will have booked our spot in the finals. 

- Jack Stock