Zizek serves up U14 titles at the double as Albany Tennis Club shines in revamped CBH Country Championships

Albany Tennis Club made a winning impression at the CBH Country Tennis Championships in Perth, which attracted more than 250 players from across the State.

The Albany contingent at the event, which was held at Alexander Tennis Club from January 2-5, comprised 15 adults and five juniors, with youngster Tea Zizek the top performer after cleaning up in under-14 singles and doubles.

Zizek won both titles, taking the doubles with clubmate Samara Sprigg, while James Grundy clinched the under-16 boys’ singles crown and also reached the semi-finals of the men’s open singles.

Asher Craig also had a good tournament, finishing runner-up in the boys’ under-14 singles and reaching the semi-finals of the doubles with partner Isaac Grundy.

The club entered two teams in the men’s doubles and one each in the women’s doubles and mixed events.

The men’s doubles quartet of Nelson Stanbrough, Sam Graham, Tom Street and Rowan Bigwood won the title, with clubmates Les Bairstow, Vince Hilder, Denby Sharpe and Andrew Sharpe the runners-up.

The women’s team of Sam Lee, Nicky Thompson, Cathy Beach and Glenda Jones were fourth, as were the mixed side of Barry Atkinson, Trevor Scott, Jackie Atkinson and Adalyn Sharpe.

The championships had been rebranded, moved from April to January and included team doubles events for the first time.

Albany club captain Les Bairstow welcomed the changes.

“We mostly stayed together as a club and supported each other through the tournament,” he said.

“It was a really good three days, and the team events were welcome rather than entering as individual doubles pairs.

“I hope they stick to that format next year.”