THE 2017-18 WA State Tennis League kicked off the summer last weekend with some surprise upsets.
In the men’s league, the leading teams continued where they left off with reigning champions Hensman Park giving newcomers Bayswater a five rubbers to one lesson and Mosman Park defeated Peppermint Grove in an easy win at home, five rubbers, 10 sets and 67 games to 1-3-44.
Dalkeith hosted Cottesloe on hard courts to go down 5-1.
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READ NOWTalented junior Tristan Schoolkate caused a major upset 7-5, 6-4 over Dalkeith’s highly experienced Pro Tour player Dane Propoggia, who has been ranked as high as 295 in world singles.
Propoggia is a quality player and is in the Challenger event in Traralgon this week against Matt Ebden.
National Academy coach Andrew Roberts was back to his best with a 6-1, 6-1 win after a patchy season last year.
Dalkeith’s Josiah Tyson was the only winner with a 3-6, 6-2, 6-2 over Tim Wood.
Last year’s women’s champions Blue Gum were trounced 5-0 by Royal Kings Park (RKP) although three matches went to three sets.
Last year’s runner-up Cottesloe was missing its number one Alicia Molik and scrambled in their first round encounter with rain causing a draw against Hensman.
Both teams are too good to not bounce back but the evenness of the league will be a highlight as City Beach showed in beating coastal rivals North Beach three rubbers, six sets and 52 games to 3-6-49 to win by just three games.
The pick of the matches next week will be RKP women hosting Cottesloe and a replay of last year’s men’s final at Mosman against Hensman.
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