Otago edges Southern Lakes in friendly tie

Otago tennis player Paddy Ou fires a backhand return during a match in the Southern open team...
Otago tennis player Paddy Ou fires a backhand return during a match in the Southern open team event at the Edgar Centre on Saturday. PHOTOS: PETER MCINTOSH
Covid-19 restrictions led to the withdrawal of several teams and forced the postponement of the Southern open team event at the weekend.

Nevertheless, a strong Southern Lakes combination travelled to Dunedin to take on Otago selections in friendly ties on Saturday and yesterday.

Although all matches counted towards rankings, the Margaret Rennie Trophy was not at stake.

In the Saturday ties, played indoors, Otago shaded Southern Lakes 17 rubbers to 13. Highlights included the Tammy Smith-Rileigh Fields singles clash, in which Fields prevailed 6-4, 7-6.

On the men’s side, Otago No1 Paddy Ou came back from a set down to shade Kai Milburn 3-6, 6-3, 11-9. Rising junior Max MacLachlan upset the more experienced Chris Bradley 6-4 6-4.

Queenstown representative Kai Milburn lines up his shot.
Queenstown representative Kai Milburn lines up his shot.
Better weather on Sunday meant ties were played outdoors at Logan Park’s Stevenson Tennis Centre. The two competing associations split into A and B teams.

Ayesha Horley led the women’s order for Otago, subduing Felicity Oxnevad 6-1, 6-4. Horley was well backed up by Charlie Byers and Mya Haigh.

Kai Milburn evened the weekend’s ledger, Ou finding the hard surface more to his liking as he posted a 6-3, 6-3 victory

Otago’s Marco Hartono recovered from a seemingly hopeless position at 5-0, 30-0 down in the third set against Bradley, taking the match 6-1, 6-7, 7-5.

Otago A came out on top 8-4 while Southern Lakes B edged Otago B 7-5.

 - Fraser Richardson

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