LISTON Seagulls are the kings of Victorian men’s tennis. The Gulls have taken out the inaugural edition of the Victorian state conference in the newly formed Asia-Pacific Tennis League.
The Dane Nebel-coached team went through the home and away rounds undefeated and completed a perfect season with a four rubbers to one thrashing of the Kooyong Classics in the grand final at Kooyong last Friday night.
As Victorian champions, the Seagulls will move into the next phase of the competition, representing the Big V at the ATL playoffs.
The playoffs will take place in the second week of the Australian Open at Melbourne Park, pitting the five Australian conference champions with three teams from Asia and the Pacific.
It will be a massive opportunity for Liston, and western suburbs tennis in general, to gain exposure on the big stage and share in the prizemoney on offer.
As minor premiers, the Seagulls were favourites heading into the final, but wary of the threat posed by Kooyong on their home court.
Sam Groth got the ball rolling for the Gulls, out-lasting former Liston junior Andrew Whittington in three tough sets.
The Classics hit back hard with Andrew Coelho blasting Matt Reid in straight sets.
With the tie locked at 1-1, the Seagulls put their foot down to win the remaining two singles rubbers, on the back of straight sets wins to Rubin Statham and James Lemke.
Victory was in the bag when the Gulls’ doubles combination Groth-Reid trumped Whittington-John Peers in straight sets.
Tennis Victoria competitions manager Jeff Downes said Liston will be the team to beat at the playoffs.
“The Victorian conference men’s winners, the Liston Seagulls, were deserved winners and have certainly justified their preseason ranking as No.1 men’s team in Australia,” he said.
Three Seagulls — Groth, Lemke and Statham — made the All Victorian conference team.
ASIA Pacific Tennis League – Victorian conference Final:
Liston Seagulls d Kooyong Classics 4-1
Sam Groth d Andrew Whittington 3-4 4-2 4-2
Matt Reid lt Andrew Coelho 4-3 4-0
Rubin Statham d Daniel Byrnes 4-2 4-3
James Lemke d Jay Salter 4-0 4-1
Groth-Reid d Peers-Whittington 4-3 4-1
