Open talent lines up
IT REMAINS one of the bestsupported tournaments in North Queensland but there is one man who stands above the strong field to win the Townsville Open Age Championship.
Former Queensland representative Benjamin Mitchell will enter the tournament at Western Suburbs Tennis Club as the top seed chasing the elusive cash prize in the Men’s Silver AMT event.
While it might be Mitchell’s first trip to Townsville for the Open, tournament convener Graham Wicks knows just what to expect from the 27-year-old.
“I am happy to see him in the mix; I have known him since he was only a young player in Grade 6,” Wicks said.
“He was playing in a lot of the school tournaments with my children, and I can remember him getting picked for the Queensland state side that year.
“He was only a little fella then; now he is about six foot. I think he will be hard to beat in the Open men’s tournament.”
But it will be far from a walkover for the Brisbane-based player, with 26 hopefuls in the draw for the AMT event.
Mitchell is not the only player to keep an eye on, with Rockhampton star and fellow Open first-timer Olivia Massingham ready to punch above her weight. Massingham is a favourite to take out the under-16s girls division, while she is also the No.1 seed in the Women’s AMT Silver event.
“It is good to see her step up for both divisions; there have been some good reports about her (coming out of Rockhampton),” Wicks said.
“She is the No.1 seed in both events and she will be tough to beat.”
Rudy Thorogood will lead the local hopes in the tournament as the top seed in the 14 and under boys division.
The tournament begins at Western Suburbs Tennis Club and the Kalynda Chase Tennis Centre in Bohle today and will finish on Sunday.