23 February 2024 | Tennis West

The first week of State League finals are here with all teams playing for a spot in the semi-finals. This weekend’s feature match sees UWA host Blue Gum Park at UWA Tennis Club tonight at 6 pm in the men’s State League. 

The finals format this season features all six teams playing in week one of the finals series. Teams that finish in first and second place will play against each other with the loser to receive a double chance. The two other Qualifying Finals are elimination matches with third place versing sixth place and fourth place versus fifth place. The higher ranked teams will get the home court advantage

The semi-finals see the winner of 1st and 2nd play the lowest ranked winner of the elimination matches and the loser of 1st and 2nd play the highest ranked winner of the elimination matches. The winners of each Semi Final will then meet each other in the Grand Final with the highest ranked team receiving home court advantage.

UWA go into the match with momentum, having won only last week against Blue Gum Park on their home court. UWA defeated Blue Gum Park 5-1 on the clay courts and will go in as favourites with Bustiman, Gray, Katsamakis and Lawrance all recording singles wins against their opponents.

From five home games this year, UWA have won three while Blue Gum Park have only won once away from home this season with a narrow win over Peppermint Grove. While the result didn’t go their way last week, Blue Gum Park can go into this match with some confidence, having defeated UWA back in round five.

 

Key Match Up 1: Hans Bustiman (UWA) v Nathan Schupelius (Blue Gum Park) 

These two will face off again in the number one spot after last week where Bustiman defeated Schupelius in straight sets 6-1, 6-3. Bustiman boasts an impressive CV at home, winning four of five matches on the clay courts. Overall Bustiman goes into the match with a 7-3 win-loss record and is on a three-match winning streak.

Schupelius played as the No. 1 seed for the first-time last week after playing primarily as the No. 2 and No. 3 seed. Schupelius played his first game of the season in Round six and has played every game since but is yet to win a match this season so far.

 

Key Match Up 2: Tim Gray (UWA) v Jay Fairclough (Blue Gum Park) 

This match promises to be a close one with both players having had a fair season. Gray comes into the match having defeated Brendan Jayaprakash 6-4, 6-2. Gray has primarily played in the number two position and boasts a 3-1 win-loss record at home on the clay courts. If the match goes to a match tie-break, Gray will have the confidence having won two of his matches in a third set tie-break this season.

Fairclough did not play last week against UWA and is yet to play on clay this season. Fairclough has a 3-4 win-loss record this season but has won in two of his last three matches. Fairclough started the season playing in the No. 1 position before moving down to the number two seed. In round five against UWA, Fairclough defeated Katsamakis 7-6, 6-1.

 

Other Key Match Ups around State League on Streamer (home team listed first) 

Saturday 24th February, 12.30 pm 

Women’s:  

Applecross v Peppermint Grove

Key match-up: Ruby Broadbent (AX) v Jessie Culley (PG)

 

Hensman Park v Royal Kings Park

Key match-up: Anja Dokic (HP) v Amy Findlay (RKP)

 

Alexander Park v Dalkeith

Key match-up: Peyton Duckett (AP) v Lauren Nikoloski (Dalkeith)

 

Men’s: 

Cottesloe v Peppermint Grove

Key match-up: Ethan Dunn (Cottesloe) v Jake Robinson (PG)

 

Alexander Park v Mt Lawley/Sorrento

Key match-up: Ashwin Sharma (AP) v Casey Ambler (Mt L/Sorrento)

 

Catch all the action on Streamer.com.au