Edition 81 -November 2011 - Wembley Downs Tennis Club

2011 Cliffs Esperance International
Western Australia’s Casey Dellacqua and Queensland’s Ben
Mitchell were crowned the 2011 Cliffs Esperance Tennis
International Champions.
Following a slight rain delay, the number one seed, Ben
Mitchell (QLD) took on the number 2 seed Matt Reid (NSW)
on court one. Coming into the match, Mitchell was the
frontrunner after knocking out local favourite, Brydan Klein
in the Semi-Finals the previous day.
He had a solid build up to the tournament winning his first
three matches in straight sets. He opened his finals bound campaign with a win over China’s
Peng Gao 6-1 6-3, before beating Scott Puodziunas 6-4 6-1. Mitchell then edged out the
number 6 seed Jose Statham 7-6 7-6 before knocking out WA’s Brydan Klein in 3 sets 6-2 4-6 6-
2 to advance to the final.
Reid had come off 3 consecutive 3-set marathon battles to pave his way to the final. He initially
took an easy win over Calum Puttergill in the opening round, before surviving a 3 set thriller
against Gavin Van Peperzeel 6-4 6-7 6-3. Matt was then forced to play 2 more consecutive 3
set epics, knocking Japan’s Kento Takeuchi out 6-4 2-6 6-2 before conquering Issac Frost 4-6
6-4 7-5.
Much to Mitchell’s delight, this is where the 3 set matches ceased. The Queenslander simply
outclassed Reid, smashing forehands deep into the court grazing the baseline time and time
again, taking the first set 6-1. In the second set, Reid seemed to settle and was much more
competitive, scrambling across the court to return Mitchell’s colossal serve.
The Sydney-sider soon however began to fade and Mitchell was able to capitalise and attack.
Claiming the championship in straight sets 6-1 6-4.
“I was really stoked to have a win in Esperance.” Mitchell said.
Matt Reid and Ben Mitchell with Esperance
Tennis Club President David Campbell.
I’ve been playing some good tennis and have reached a few finals, so to have a win here was a
great result for me. It’s strange to come into the court as the number one seed. It’s great for a
bit of confidence, but can also create more pressure as you start to build expectations.”
Next up was the Women’s Final. [2] Olivia Rogowska (VIC) vs. [3] Casey Dellacqua (WA). And
whilst the pair took out the doubles Final together the day before, the rivalry was fierce for the
Singles final!
Olivia had a smooth lead up to the finals, winning in straight sets the whole way through. In the
first round, she pushed past Kai-Lin Zhang 6-3 6-2, before outing New South Wales Monique
Adamczak 6-1 6-3. She managed to claim victory against Turkish star Pemra Ozgen before
cruising past USA’s Lina Litvak in the Semi’s 6-0 6-1.
Dellacqua cruised through the first round matches beating China’s Hao Ten Cheng 6-3 6-1 in
the opening round, Emelyn Starr 6-3 6-2 before knocking off China’s Yi-Fan Xu in the
quarterfinals 6-4 6-2. Dellacqua then came from a set down to knock out Sacha Jones the
number one seed and resilient opponent 2-6 6-4 6-2.
Despite Rogowska sailing through to the finals in straight sets, the final was another story.
Dellacqua took control from the opening point and didn’t allow Rogowska into the game
throughout the entire match. Dellacqua closed the number 2 seed down in straight sets 6-2 6-1.
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