This was yet another sunny day bringing out the spectators. Numbers were high – probably up on last year, likely due to Posy Frederick appearing in both Ladies finals and bringing a dozen outside supporters with her to cheer her on. Apparently they all enjoyed the experience!
Men’s Singles Final
This was a very close but swingy match between James Li-Tremble, one of the four 5th seeds, and Stephen Cooke, top seed and 2025 Men’s Singles Champion (and 2025 triple crown winner). In his path to the final, James had already despatched Marcio Sugui (2nd seed, last won in 2023, 2021 and 202), and Logan Mair (another 5th seed).
Greg Lim umpired the match (with more to say on umpiring in the Men’s Doubles Final write up), supported by a set of lines persons of varying levels of concentration.
The match was hard hitting, and to a very fine standard of tennis, especially the first set, with both players able to hit accurately and powerfully off both wings, and with power serves. But neither took advantage of the occasional drop shot opportunity.
The first set was particularly close, with the score reaching 6 all to set the stage for a 7 point set tie break. James got an early start in this, but allowed Stephen to catch up and take it 7-5.
In the second set, Stephen’s energy and concentration waned after the efforts and pressure of the first set tie break. Once Stephen got broken he didn’t strongly contest the rest of the set, preferring to save his energy for the inevitable deciding set, but thus giving James additional confidence. James took the set 6-1.
But in the third set, Stephen restored his focus, and it was another tight set with little to choose between them. Stephen said he never felt confident in the second set, even when he was a break up, as James was always capable of breaking. Perhaps of significance, on a few points, James tried to force a little extra pace, and overhitting, resulting in him putting the ball out, to Stephen’s relief. A small margin, maybe, but something had to decide between these two strong players in an excellent match. Stephen won the set 6-4 and the match 7-6⁵ 1-6 6-4.
Of note is that Stephen won 14 games (counting the 7-5 tie break as one game), while James won 16 games, but lost the match. Such is tennis!
Ladies’ Singles Final
This took place between Posy Frederick, unseeded, who took out Becca Vaughan (2nd seed) and Lizzie Johnson, the 4th seed.
The umpire was Marjan Denis.
Both have similar games, with a lot of topspin and air on the ground strokes. Lizzie is the harder hitting, and a little more accurate. In particular, Lizzie seemed to be able to hit closer to the baseline with fewer errors. Posy has a strong net game when she got opportunities to approach.
The first set was very tight, but Lizzie just had the upper hand, taking it 6-4.
In the second set, Posy worked hard, and broke to get 5-2 up. But she couldn’t maintain the advantage. Some of this was due to Lizzie’s topspin lobs (but with Posy at the back of the court), which landed just inside the baseline, did not want to hit balls going out. But she then found herself trying to hit balls 2/3rds or the way up the back fence, or prevented from doing so by the bank at the clubhouse end. Possible solutions might have included a smash or volley, from just inside the baseline, which would have taken time away from Lizzie. Posy also approached the net a few times, but if the approach wasn’t perfect, Lizzie would pass her. Lizzie made few mistakes, either in shots or tactics.
Thus Lizzie reclaimed the break in the second set to take it to 5 all, then broke again to win the set 7-5 for a 6-4 7-5 victory.
More to come ….
