THE state’s best under-18 players began fighting for the Pardey Shield on day two of the Tasmanian Easter Championships at the Launceston Regional Tennis Centre on Saturday.
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Newstead’s Sam Whitehead and East Launceston’s Sebastian Altenditering played out a thrilling first-round boys draw match, with Whitehead progressing 2-6, 6-3, 10-6 to take on Jakob Haas in Sunday’s quarter-final stage.
Legana’s Ronan Naidoo defeated Launceston’s Jake Ferguson 6-1, 6-2 to set up a battle with Ruben Mccormack, while Oliver Hadley took down Fletcher Hilder 6-3, 6-3 and will next play Launceston’s Ben Barnett.
Connor Sheppard failed to win a game against Sam Edgar, who will battle shield-favourite Remy Lynch.
Sandy Bay’s Olivia Maskell was too good for Tully Bourn in the girl’s shield draw and will run into Elaine Fader in the semi finals. Park Grove’s Arnaka Bourn had no troubles against Sophia Maskell with second-seed Charlotte Ingram awaiting. Women’s singles first-seed Vanessa Dobson cruised past Wynonah Conway and will challenge Emma Pollock (NSW) for a spot in Monday’s final.
Pollock took down Victorian Lara Slisko 6-1, 7-5, while Queensland’s Annie Donaldson brushed aside Tasmania’s Anyukta Singh to next challenge Fader, who defeated Wollongong’s Angelina Graovac 6-2, 1-6, 6-2.
In the men’s draw, Mccormack upset Lynch 7-5, 7-6 to set up a quarter-final date with Josh Barber (QLD).
Barber eclipsed Hobart’s Martyn Icke, while Jamieson Nathan (ACT) defeated Edgar 6-3, 6-2 to advance.
Nathan will face Barnett, who upset Luke Rankovich.