MITCHELL HUNTING THIRD EASTER CUP
Toowoomba tennis fans look set for a sweet treat this weekend when some heavy hitters line up for their shot at the 2018 Horizon Accounting 88th Easter Gold Cup.
The time-honoured tournament begins with qualifying play tomorrow before climaxing with Easter Monday finals at the Toowoomba Tennis Association’s James St courts.
Included in this year’s men’s Gold Cup and women’s Silver Cup draws are defending champions Ben Mitchell and Olivia Gadecki.
Mitchell (number-two seed) is aiming for a third Gold Cup win but the former Australian Davis Cup squad member will run into a class field in his bid including number-one seed Gavin van Peperzeel.
The men’s draw also includes third-seeded Scott Puodziunas, Michael Look and veteran Toowoomba player Chris O’Mara.
Mitchell and van Peperzeel were each quarter-finalists in last year’s Toowoomba International. Fifteen-year-old Gadecki is seeded third in this year’s Silver Cup draw behind Austrian Pia Konig (2) and Kaylah McPhee (1) who finished runner-up in this month’s ACT Open.
Toowoomba Tennis Association president Allen Smythe said the depth of this year’s men’s draw would prove a tough hurdle for Mitchell in his cup defence.
“We are really happy with the quality of this year’s men’s draw and it’s great to see Ben back supporting the tournament,” Smythe said.
“But it will be a tough task for him to claim his third Gold Cup with players the calibre of Gavin van Peperzeel, Scott Puodziunas and Michael Look to get past.
“The Silver Cup looks to be wide open this year but I’m certain there’ll be plenty of topclass tennis over the weekend.”
Qualifying play tomorrow will be held at James St and Range Tennis Club.
Play continues on Saturday and Sunday at James St and Toowoomba Regional Tennis Centre — USQ with Monday’s finals decided at James St.