PICTURES: Badenoch and Strathspey men’s pair claim victory in season’s first local tennis tournament
The tennis season at Grantown Tennis Club got off to a super start at the weekend with a Fast 4 doubles competitions.
There were perfect playing conditions for the LTA Grade 5 tournament with the ladies playing on Saturday morning and the men in action in the afternoon on the clay courts.
In the men’s doubles, local players Grantown club coach Matthew Davies (Grantown) and Grant Davis (Kingussie) played Joshua Marshall and Leo Ross (Dundee) in the final.
The first two sets went to tiebreaks with the strath pair holding their nerves to win them both and take the title.
Davis said afterwards: “Thanks to referee Jane Bradley and the Grantown club for organising a fantastic day.
“There was a friendly and welcoming atmosphere as usual and lots of close matches.
“I would encourage anyone in the strath thinking of a fun, social way to exercise to get down to their local tennis club this summer.”
Last year’s winners Thomas Petrie and Coll Smith (Aboyne) had to settle for third place in a very close match against Gavin Musgrove and Damir Kadyrzhan (Rothiemurcus).
At one set all a deciding third set tiebreak was played which Petrie and Smith winning 10-7.
Aberdeen mother and daughter pair, Isabella and Josefine Kasselstrand, orginally from Sweden, took the women’s doubles final beating Marjory Stronach and Maureen Turner (Rothes) in straight sets in the final.
Mandy Davidson (Grantown) and Jenny Munro (Stonehaven) had a tussle in the play off for third and fourth place, with Lindsay Tinney and Marlene Tainsh (Grantown) and this had to be decided by a third set tiebreak.
Davidson and Munro came through victorious with a 10-4 win.
The four courts in play were in excellent condition after the wonderful run of weather.
Referee Jane Bradley said: “The conditions on Saturday were perfect, glorious sunshine for most of the day, allowing the players to show some of their best tennis skills.
“There were good numbers of competitors in the women’s and men’s doubles with many players coming from the Highlands.
“It provided an opportunity for the region’s players to practice before the Highland leagues start at the end of April.”
Grantown club coach Alastair Mcleod said: “There was a great turn-out of ladies and men of all ages from all over the Highlands and Grampian.
“It was particularly pleasing to have so many entrants from the local clubs - Grantown, Aviemore and Kingussie.”
The club’s big competition the Grantown Open runs from July 27 until August 3 and the contest attracts many players from all parts of Scotland.
Results:
Men’s doubles final: Matthew Davies & Grant Davis v Joshua Marshall & Leo Ross 4-3, 4-3.
3rd v 4th: Thomas Petrie & Coll Smith v Gavin Musgrove & Damir Kadyrzhan 4-2, 3-4, 10-7.
Plate: David Milne & Colin Campbell v David Blacoe & Matthew Hamlett 4-3, 4-1.
Women’s doubles final: Isabella & Josefine Kasselstrand v Marjory Stronach & Maureen Turner 4-0, 4-1.
3rd v 4th: Mandy Davidson & Jenny Munro v Lindsay Tinney & Marlene Tainsh 4-1, 1-4, 10-4.
Plate: Isla Dickenson & Jenny Milne v Teresa Tait & Riana Oeschger 4-2, 4-2.
