On a typical Melbourne spring day (windy), this saw the first completed round for a number of sides (given some sides postponed their Yom Kippur match to November). 5 out of 6 teams won.

Please note that the club's AGM will be held on Monday October 28th at 7pm.

https://play.tennis.com.au/maccabitennisclub/News/db0d5671-8ac3-4e34-a9de-b065858ab05a 

Tennis Victoria BRTA

Section 3 Maccabi 3-4-50 defeated Beaumaris 3-4-36

Jordan Jaffe 6-8
Jonny Henquin 8-3
Aaron Kramer 8-0
Jan Tenenberg 7-8
Jordan Jaffe/ Jonny Henquin 6-2 6-2
Aaron Kramer/ Jan Tenenberg 6-7 3-6

In the singles, Jordan started in fantastic fashion, taking a 4-0 lead against a solid opponent. Unfortunately from there, it became a game of momentum and after managing a 6-5 lead, ended up falling 6-8. Whilst, for Jonny after the first 2 games took almost 25 mins, Jonny got into his rhythm, taking control of the match and hitting the ball as hard as anyone has ever seen - leading him to a 8-3 win. And then we have Aaron, in his first game in the top team, he did not disappoint. Playing some of the most consistent and smart tennis I’ve seen, Aaron took full control of his opponent, winning 8-0 in less than 30 minutes. Jan - our super sub for the day, definitely got his money’s worth. Jan’s match was close throughout the entire game and ultimately went into a tiebreak. Unfortunately a few points didn’t go Jan’s way and he went down 7-8. 

In the doubles, Jordan and Jonny played their no.1 pair (although was Probbaly the weaker pair). Between Jonny’s insane baseline and passing shots, and Jordan’s crossing and volleying at the net (thank you hotspot position), Jordan and Jonny comfortably eased their way to a 6-2 6-2 win.

Now, just like in the singles, Jan was clearly keen for a long day of tennis. Between Jan’s incredibly strong crosscourt forehand (and one insane point where he continuously overpowered his opponent), and Aaron’s unbelievable backhand and enthusiasm on the court, Jan and Aaron fought hard in a tough 1st set but unfortunately went down 6-7. In the 2nd, even though they were playing a similar level, the opposition got the upper hand, taking it 6-3.

In the end, it may have been a little close for our liking, but a win is a win. Thanks to Jan for stepping in and reuniting back with the team. A good start for the season as well, starting off 2 from 2!

- Jordan Jaffe

Section 4 Maccabi 2-3-44 defeated by BLTC 4-6-62

Rob Minc 2-8
Damon Flicker 5-8
Steve Gostin 8-7
Joel Rabinov 1-8
Rob Minc/ Steve Gostin 4-6 6-7
Damon Flicker/ Joel Rabinov 4-6 7-6 7-6

At BLTC and with relatively familiar doubles pairs, we hit the en tout cas courts for doubles against a very young side (the oldest was 16 years old).

Rob and Steve got out to a 4-3 lead, before faltering at the end of the opening set for 4-6. A close 2nd set but unfortunately lost the tiebreaker.

Damon and Joel had a nervy start (Damon couldn't land a 1st serve in the opening game) but then clicked into gear as they got into old habits (been over a decade since they played doubles  together) for a 4-1 lead. Unfortunately went a bit awol, along with the opponents being stingy across the 8 next games to concede the next 8 games for 4-6, 0-3. They then decided to stop playing passively and instead played aggressively, which worked to win the set in a tiebreaker and then match tiebreaker 14-12.

Rob played a very good opponent and despite his attempts at coming forward and volleying, it wasn't his day down 2-8.

Steve played in by far the longest singles of the day. Steve allowed his opponent to dictate for 2-5, before he showed some fight and stepped up and forced his opponent to play some defence. Steve won in a tiebreak.

Damon played a guy who hit a lot of body serves: and it was tough work for Damon, down 2-7 before fighting it out for 5-8.

Joel had an early chance to hold serve: didn't and then went a bit downhill after that. Thankfully managed a break of serve before a 1-8 loss.

Overall: Thanks to Damon for filling in (and recreating the junior days). Good fight shown by the team: fought it out till the end. Unfortunately we played against a side that had our number.

- Joel Rabinov

Section 5 Maccabi 5-7-52 defeated Tennis World 1-1-33

Geoff Rosenberger 8-4
Ryan Sharp 8-6
GIlad Nagar 8-5
Nathan Rapoport 3-8
Geoff Rosenberger/ Ryan Sharp 6-0 6-1
Gilad Nagar/ Nathan Rapoport 7-5 6-4

A comprehensive victory after an indifferent start to the season.

Desperately needing a win, our situation looked dire with only 3 available (out of 7) as we scrambled to find a sub who could play at our level.  In came Ryan Sharp and from being outsiders we firmed to odds on favourites.

Ryan didn’t let us down, with only 1 backhand unforced error (in the 1st set) cruised with Geoff to a comfortable doubles win against their younger and inexperienced opponents.

Meanwhile, Gilad and Nathan at 1 4 down (in the 1st) stormed back to take out the set 7 5 in what would be an important set for the team.

Ryan started his singles 1st, and it was expected he would cruise to an easy win. However, in an indifferent start he couldn’t hit with any power and was down 04 in a matter of minutes. A complete reversal of the doubles!  

Nathan and Gilad had a few heated exchanges (close line calls) and managed to grind their way to victory to hand Maccabi its 2nd rubber.

 

Ryan finally got on the board and in his usual laconic way, thwarted his opponents strengths and methodically brought the match back on level terms before closing it out with a hard fought victory.

Geoff, playing injured, could have forfeited his match, down 43 won 5 games in a row against a young opponent who didn’t take advantage of the situation.

Gilad, in an arm wrestle (game for game), won the last 3 in a strong show of mental strength.

Nathan played well against what looked to be their no.1 player (certainly with power) but fell short in another competitive outing.

Hopefully this is the start of many more victories. Our team have a strong doubles line up and in this format presents as a huge advantage.

- Geoff Rosenberger

Section 6 Maccabi 3-5-49 defeated BLTC 3-4-49

Ryan Behr 4-8
Steve Bendel 8-4
Adam Needleman 3-8
Zvi Schweitzer 8-6
Ryan Behr/ Adam Needleman 6-4 4-6 3-6
Steve Bendel/ Zvi Schweitzer 7-6 6-1

 

Ventured down to Beaumaris to play a team whose four players mathematically
could have been Adam's grandchildren and whose total combined ages were the same as his age.
Adam and Ryan teaming together again won their first set ( eventually
turning out to be the afternoons deciding set ) before getting overrun by
generation Alpha.
Zvi teaming with Steven Bendel for the first time put together his own
highlights reel which included pounding down second service aces in the tie-break. The boys eventually ran away with the second set and the match.
Ryan played admirably against a junior that won in section 3 the week
before.
Steve B does what Steve B does.
Adam playing singles again after a lengthy break will be better for gallp. I ain't no Nostradamus but I see a win coming up next week.
Zvi ("Lazarus") Schweitzer came from a break down to win 8-6. His wins couple with a stellar singles performance by Steven B and the Needleman/Behr
doubles set sealed our first win of the season. If only we had the strength
to chair Zvi off we would have!
Player of the day - Zvi Schweitzer

- Steve Bendel

Section 9 Maccabi 3-4-49 defeated Tennis World 3-4-43

Ben Pollak 8-6
Saul Jayes 7-8
Errol Dorfan 4-8
Daniel Vertes 8-4
Ben Pollak/ Saul Jayes 6-2 6-3
Errol Dorfan/ Daniel Vertes 5-7 5-7

We began with singles, Ben was able to get out to a 7-4 lead and although there were some nervy moments at 7-6 up but 40-0 down he was able to get up 8-6.

Saul against a familiar opponent and former teammate struggled early and although came back from 7-2 to get it into a tiebreak, he couldn’t quite get the w.

Errol, against probably their best player, staggeringly at #3, played pretty decently but his opponent unfortunately too good, Errol losing 8-4.

Daniel V played well throughout and managed to get an easy enough 8-4 win.

Ben and Saul were able to win with no real issues, 6-2 6-3.

Daniel and Errol unfortunately going down in 2 tight sets 7-5 7-5.

Overall, we won by 4 games and remain undefeated and a great start to the season so far.

 - Ben Pollak

Section 10 Maccabi 4-6-55 defeated Caulfield Rec 2-3-40

Sebastian Raboy 8-6
Stephen Gorenstein 8-5
Stephen Kleid 4-8
Ashley Raboy 8-0
Stephen Gorenstein/ Stephen Kleid 6-4 3-6 6-7
Sebastian Raboy/ Ashley Raboy 6-0 6-4

Maccabi played at home against Caulfield Rec 

Played Doubles first.

Stephen Gorenstein with Stephen Kleid unfortunately went down 6-4, 3-6, 8-10.

Sebastian Raboy with Ashley Raboy We Won 6-0, 6-4. (In the second Set they started playing well together and were up 1-3 and the 1-4, when we clawed our way back to 4-4 and the 5-4, and took it out at 6-4.)

In the Singles:

1. Sebastian won 8-6.

2. Stephen Gorenstein had a good win 8-5.

3.Stephen Kleid Played unfortunately went down 4-8.

4. Ashley Raboy won convincingly, 8-0. 

Well played to our team under windy conditions. Onwards and upwards!!

- Ash Raboy