In Round 3, four out of six Maccabi sides got back onto the winners list.

Grade 10 teammates Charlie Landau, Jack Stock and Ben Pollak (captain). It was Ben's birthday on Saturday!

Grade 9 teammates Joel Rabinov (captain), Nathan Rapoport, Daniel Goodrich and Wayne Myers.

Grade 5 Section 3 Maccabi 5-9-60 defeated Ormond 1-1-23

Jordan Jaffe/ Marty Schwarz 8-4
Jonny Henquin/ Rob Minc 8-2
Jordan Jaffe 6-2 6-4
Marty Schwarz 6-4 2-6 (6-10)
Jonny Henquin 6-0 6-1
Rob Minc 6-0 6-0

Coming against the team we lost to in last season’s semis we were determined to come out with a win. Starting with the doubles, Jordan and Marty started neck and neck, but continued to play aggressive tennis, ultimately ensuring the game was on their terms, winning 8-4. Whilst Jonny and Rob (a first time pairing), showed why we should definitely trust them to play together again, taking full control of their match to win 8-2.

In the singles, Jordan played the conditions and his opponent well to save a potential comeback and win in straight sets. Marty was playing exceptional tennis and had chances to win his match, but unfortunately couldn’t capitalise in the end, going down in a deciding tiebreak. However, Jonny and Rob’s performances did not disappoint. Jonny completely outplayed his opponent and continues to just get better and better every time he steps onto the court, only dropping 1 game. Whilst, Rob’s performance was nothing short of flawless, dominating with his serve + volleys and elite backhand to win 0 & 0. 

At the end of the day, a fantastic win and performance by the team!

- Jordan Jaffe

Grade 7 Section 3 Maccabi 4-6-55 defeated Mayfield Park 2-4-45

Jess Flicker/Rafael Epstein 6-8
Marcus Frajman/Steve Bendel 8-6
Jess Flicker 4-6 6-2 (10-8)
Rafael Epstein 6-1 7-5
Marcus Frajman 6-1 6-4
Steve Bendel 2-6 4-6

Our first team win of the season was pleasing. Decimated by injuries and unavailability, we called upon emergencies Raf Epstein and Steve Bendel. It was positive to have our #1 Jess playing his first game. 

In doubles, Jess and Raf were engaged in a high-quality match with many entertaining rallies. At 6-6, Jess and Raf were broken and this was the only service break of the match. On the adjacent court, Marcus and Steve started slowly but fought their way back into the match to claim an important win inspired by some decisive net play from Steve.

In singles, Raf started strongly, playing with confidence and variety. The second set was closer but Raf was able to close it out. The opposition brought in a fresh player for the singles and this player was arguably their strongest player at #4! Nevertheless, Steve displayed his trademark grit and tenacity to fight for every point and game. Jess was perhaps a bit rusty after a year away and limited practice on en tout cas. Jess turned the match around and won a close super tiebreak. Marcus started strongly and won 10 consecutive games and despite some nervy moments, was able to close out the second set. 

- Marcus Frajman

Grade 8 Section 4 Maccabi 0-029 defeated by Hastings 6-8-65 
Ilay Givoni/ Gilad Nagar 5-8
Ryan Behr/ Ash Raboy 3-8
Ilay Givoni 4-6 0-6
Gilad Nagar 5-7 4-6
Ryan Behr 3-6 4-6
Ash Raboy 1-6 0-6

The scenic view over Western Port Bay was sadly the only highlight on a dismal day of tennis at Hastings. There were chances galore, none of which converted, and we went down donuts to a skilled team of teenagers. On to next week!

- Ryan Behr

Grade 9 Section 3 Maccabi 5-7-58 defeated Heathmont 1-3-45

Nathan Rapoport/ Wayne Myers 8-6
Daniel Goodrich/ Ian Altman 9-7
Nathan Rapoport 4-6 6-3 (10-7)
Daniel Goodrich 7-5 2-6 (10-7)
Wayne Myers 6-4 4-6 (5-10)
Ian Altman 6-2 6-0

Nathan and Wayne played a good game of doubles to beat an evenly matched pairing in a close 8-6 win.

Ian and Daniel fought hard to get the win. They both held strong in the rallies and kept unforced errors down. A slow start (0-2) before they got going to win 9-7.

Ian played an excellent game of singles in the only one sided tie of the day. With an almost faultless display of winning tennis he dominated on all parts of the court winning 12 out of 14 games as he eases into playing pennant.

Nathan played a very talented and much younger left handed opponent. Nathan once again showed true grit and tennis smarts to outrally his opponent and playing some solid, gruelling baseline tennis to come from a set down to win the match tiebreak and the battle of the 1s 10-7.

Daniel played a guy with a massive serve who had aces up his sleeve as he found himself down early (1-3). Daniel got himself back into it and got the break for 6-5 before serving out the set. Momentum switched in the second and intesity dropped off a bit, which allowed his opponent to dictate points more (2-6). In the match tiebreaker Daniel was up 7-3 before the opponent levelled it at 7all. Daniel knew he just had to keep everything in from there and he did winning the next 3 points in his best singles performance in years. 

Wayne unfortunately lost a close tiebreak against a big serving opponent who he could never quite get on top of. Having won a exciting 1st set he dropped the 2nd as well as the tie break.

Maccabi ran out comprehensive victors in a hard fought five rubbers to one win over the previously unbeaten Heathmont Tennis Club. Although we have noticed a trend: when our footy sides do well (Carlton, Essendon) we tend to win. Some say it could be a co-incidence, some say it’s a correlation! Now we aim for our first away win of the season at Glenburn.

- Wayne Myers

Grade 10 Section 3 Maccabi 3-7-61 def Royal South Yarra 3-3-41

Charlie Landau/Akash Lagad 5-8
Ben Pollak/Jack Stock 8-9
Ben Pollak 5-7 7-6 3-10
Charlie Landau 6-1 6-2
Akash Lagad 6-0 6-3
Jack Stock 6-3 6-2

On a big day for the Skipper (Ben’s bday), the doubles pairings were Ben and Jack and Charlie and Akash. 

Charlie and Akash started first (with only 1 playable court to begin with) and they unfortunately started very slow, going 5-0 down very quick. To their credit they fought throughout and made the match a real contest, getting back to 5-4. After a controversial finish, we unfortunately went down 8-6.

Ben and Jack, also began slow going down 5-2 and then 7-3 and then after saving 3 match points somehow got it to a tiebreak but sadly went down 8-6 in the tiebreak.

In singles, Akash and Charlie were awesome, both winning convincingly in very impressive performances. 

Ben, however against a pretty good player started fantastic going up 4-1 but as his opponent completely changed his strategy, he couldn’t quite change his game plan enough and went down 7-5. In the second set, Ben went up 5-3 with amazing support from Akash and Charlie on the sidelines, but as his opponent lifted he went up 6-5 and also 40-0. However he got cocky and even went an underarm serve at 40-15 in which Ben dispatched very easily, Ben managed to somehow out of nowhere, got it to a tiebreak and won the second set. Unfortunately though, the motivation for a birthday comeback win wasn’t enough and Ben went down in the 3rd set tiebreak.

The situation was simple, if Jack wins we win, if Jack loses, we lose. 
But if anybody knows Jack, you’ll know he will never let the team down, and his inner clutchness came to the fore and won us the tie. 

Overall, an amazing win for the team. We could’ve ended up winning all rubbers but was especially pleasing to see all 4 players play some really good tennis all day. Onwards and upwards and let’s go on a little winning streak.

- Ben Pollak

Grade 10 Section 4 Maccabi 0-0-22 defeated by Officer 6-10-65

Stephen Gorenstein/ Jacob Nathan 7-9
Jesse Stowe-Lindner/ Jonah Stowe-Lindner 2-8
Stephen Gorenstein 1-6 1-6
Jacob Nathan 1-6 2-6
Jesse Stowe-Lindner 2-6 3-6
Jonah Stowe-Lindner 0-6 3-6

Another learning opportunity for a great group of guys that are keen to improve and be exposed to playing strong players. Pleasing to also see Jonah and Jesse make their Pennant debuts (two players for the future).