MAKING ALL THE RIGHT CLAY PLAYS
A GOLD Coast hope pushed him all the way but Sydney’s Adam Hecimovic last night stormed to victory at the Queensland Clay Court Championships.
Riding a wave of support at his home club KDV Sports at Carrara, Rob Stirling was brought undone 6-1, 7-5 by Hecimovic (pictured), ranked 75 in Australia.
Roopa Bains claimed the women’s crown while Runaway Bay siblings Olivia and Adam Gadecki won the mixed doubles title with a 6-4, 6-2 victory over Louis Clark and Laquisa Khan.
ROB Stirling’s gutsy bid for a home win at the Queensland Clay Court Championships has ended with a defeat to Sydney’s Adam Hecimovic.
Riding a wave of support at his club KDV Sports at Carrara, Stirling ultimately came undone 6-1, 7-5 last night to a men’s player ranked 75 in Australia.
On a day of drama, officials yesterday switched the women’s matches to hard court after recent wet weather had taken its toll.
Consolation matches and doubles fixtures had their formats revised in order to fit in all matches.
Top men’s seed Hecimovic booked his spot in the final by defeating Alex Haley and then fifth seed Louis Clark 6-2, 6-2.
Stirling, meanwhile, fought his way to the final with a dramatic 1-6, 7-6, 10-7 victory over second seed Will Maher.
In the women’s singles final Roopa Bains (Kenmore) defeated Megan Smith (Graceville) 6-4, 6-3 to leave Smith as the runner-up for the second year in a row.
A consolation for Smith was that she was crowned Tennis Queensland Queen of the Claycourt on points rankings across three tournaments.
Will Maher was crowned King of Claycourts.
Bains, who upset Sara Tomic in the quarters, overcame Cyan Sun in her semi 6-2, 6-3, while Smith battled it out with Lara Walker before prevailing 6-4, 4-6, 12-10. In the women’s consolation final Ameliija Swaffer-Selff defeated Maddison Ricardo 4-2, 4-1 in a shortened format.
In the men’s consolation Finn McNamara (Fig Tree Pocket) defeated Alexey Schtengelov 4-1, 4-1.
Runaway Bay siblings Olivia and Adam Gadecki won the mixed doubles 6-4, 6-2 over Louis Clark and Laquisa Khan.