Tennis champs made to wait

It may have taken several weeks to find a winner, but the 2023 Marlborough residential doubles champions have finally been decided.

The tournament began on Sunday, October 15, with all the preliminary rounds being completed and the finalists found, before heavy rain intervened, forcing the two deciders to be postponed.

An agreeable date was found for the women’s final first. Top seeds Donna Clark and Ella Sowman, who beat Issy O’Brien and Pippa Sowman 6-1, 6-0 in their semifinal, took on second-seeded Amber Lyons and Anna Simpson, who had accounted for Sarah Dillon and Vic Struthers 6-3, 6-2 in the other semi.

The final, on Monday October 30, was a tight affair, Donna and Ella eventually coming out on top 6-4, 6-2.

The men’s decider was played on Monday, November 6, and featured fourth seeds Ant Walkenhorst and Brooke Adams, who downed top seeds Glen Cameron and Dan Clarke in a semifinal thriller, 6-0, 3-6, 10-7. They were up against the seasoned combination of Chris Nott and Hamish Morrow, the second seeds, who beat Stephen Dempster and Owen Dodson 6-3, 6-1 in the other semi.

The final swung both ways, Ant and Brooke winning the first set 6-4 then Chris and Hamish bouncing back in the second to win it 6-3, setting up a third set decider. This time Chris and Hamish made no mistake, lifting their game to take it and the title 6-1.

This Sunday sees the annual Lucas Cup senior fixture, against Nelson, played at the Marlborough Tennis Centre.