Ipswich, Australia, 26 March 2012 | Tennis Australia

Victoria’s Sam Groth (Templestowe, Vic) won his fifth ITF career title yesterday after winning the City of Ipswich Tennis International in Queensland.

The No.5 seed dropped the first set against fourth seed Jason Kubler (Mango Hill, Qld) but recovered strongly to win the match, 5-7 6-3 6-2.

The championship win marks a strong comeback for Groth after he took an eight month break from the sport last year. On the way to the final, the 24-year-old defeated the likes of Lukas Koncilia (AUT), Aaron Leeder-Chard (Mt Eliza, Vic), Matthew Barton (Collaroy, NSW) and No.7 seed Jose Statham (NZL), in a tough three set semifinal on Saturday.

Kubler also had a string of impressive wins during the week beating Matheson Klein (Theebine, Qld), Robin Marc Pfister (Roseville, NSW), [8] John Millman (Carina, Qld) and [2] James Lemke (Camberwell, Vic), however couldn’t convert to win his fourth title on clay.

After the match Groth said he felt good on court this week and is happy to be back playing tennis again.

“This week I’ve played some of my best tennis. In the past I’ve had some really good weeks on clay and it’s something I’m certainly enjoying more and more.

“I probably started serving OK but was a little lethargic in the first, I was down a break in the second and sort of feeling it a little bit,  but after I got the break back to get it to two all, it psyched me up, and from there I went on a real roll.

“Jason has obviously had a great start to the year already; he’s won a few events on clay. He’s got a bright future ahead of him.”

In the women’s final, Sandra Zaniewska of Poland was too strong for fifteen-year-old Ashleigh Barty (Springfield, Qld). Barty, who was vying for her third professional title in a matter of weeks, pushed Zaniewska in the first set but eventually went down 7-6(5) 6-1.

Zaniewska was also successful in the doubles after she led Monique Adamczak (NSW) to victory over Shuko Aoyama and Junri Namigata of Japan 7-5 6-4, while No.3 seeds Adam Feeney (Tumbi Umbi, NSW) and Adam Hubble (Mooroolbark, Vic) upset top seeds Brydan Klein (Warnbro, WA) and Statham 6-4 6-4 to win their first men’s doubles title together.

The Australian Pro Tour will now move north for the Bundaberg Tennis International, with the main draw scheduled to commence on Tuesday.

The City of Ipswich Tennis International is part of the 2012 Australian Pro Tour, a series of professional tennis events that bridge junior events and the ATP/WTA Tour, providing an opportunity for players to earn their first world ranking points.

For more information on the Australian Pro Tour, Tennis Australia or the players, visit www.tennis.com.au. For more information on the ITF Pro circuit visit www.itftennis.com.