VICTORIAN STUNS IN HBTI FINAL WIN
Talented Aussies secure trophies despite rain
TENNIS: Zoe Hives nearly gave up on her 2018 Hutchinson Builders Toowoomba International dreams in round two.
A little work with the tournament physio and a lot of perseverance paid off for the young Victorian though who won 6-0, 6-2 over fellow Aussie Ellen Perez.
Hives described her first set in the women’s final as the best six games of her career.
“I’m in shock really. I can’t believe I did that in the first set,” she said.
“I think it’s probably the best tennis I’ve ever played.
“I just felt like I couldn’t miss. “I got a little tight in the second set but I just tried to stay calm.
“I told myself I hadn’t won anything yet I just needed to keep going.”
Competing in her third HBTI Hives entered the tournament with modest goals.
“I’ve been injured most of the year – I haven’t played a lot of tennis.
“I really just wanted to get some form ahead of some more expensive tournaments in Victoria and Canberra.
“To win it is amazing.”
Maverick beats opponent and rain
Securing a determined first set victory and leading 5-2 in the second Maverick Banes had one hand firmly on the men’s trophy yesterday.
But rain and a focused Colin Sinclair did their best to snatch victory away from the Aussie before his 6-4, 6-2 win in the men’s final.
Serving at deuce Banes needed just two more points to secure the title before several rain delays frustrated the players and a patient crowd.
“It’s been pretty tough all week,” Banes said.
“Today was the same but it especially frustrating being the final.
“Being so close to winning I had to make sure my mind didn’t wander too much, I just had to stay focused.”
In the end the Australian’s last minute decision to enter the tournament proved to be a master-stroke.
“I’d been playing in the US and lost a few matches,” he said.
“I entered at the last minute in the hope I’d find some form.
“In the end I played quite a few games through qualifying and to win it for the first time is great after I was beaten in the semi-final last year.”