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Open debut for Destanee By Nick Creely In just 92 minutes, Narre Warren teenager Destanee Aiava has proven to the world she is going to be a force to be reckoned with for the next decade. After qualifying as a maindraw wildcard entry as the national 18-and-Under champion, Aiava won her first qualifier at the Brisbane International earlier this month, knocking off the revered Bethanie Mattek-Sands before falling to champion player Svetlana Kuznetsova. In her Australian Open debut on Monday, up against German qualifier Mona Barthel, the 273rd ranked Aiava put up a brave fight, losing 6-3, 7-6 (7-4), and showing the immense qualities that have seen her become the first player this century to contest in the main-draw at a Grand Slam tournament. The game looked gone for the 16-year-old, dropping the ninth
game of the second set after pushing a volley wide and then double-faulting. But she surged back with composure, showing nerves of steel to save a match point and therefore level the second set 5-5. The broadcasters were thrilled with the young star’s composure on the court, and despite a searing day of Melbourne heat, Aiava played beyond her years. Her opponent, Barthel, was once ranked 23rd in the world, and was given an almighty scare against an enthusiastic athlete not yet out of school. But what was most impressive about Aiava’s performance was her cracking backhand winner in the second set after a long rally and her subsequent fight until the very end. Speaking post-match, Aiava was visibly disappointed but was thrilled to get the experience to play against the best in the world.
“It was pretty fun playing out there, it was a really good experience and I enjoyed it - this isn’t the first and last time I’m going to be here, there’s plenty more to come,” he said. “I learnt how to be more composed out there, and I didn’t rush as much but it just wasn’t my day. “I just focus what’s ahead for me and not dwell on the past I’m looking forward to the rest of the year and what’s ahead. “I played alright but I felt I could have done better - I had a lot of chances and I didn’t take them so I have to work on that. “It got a bit tight during the tie-break and I started rushing and not thinking through the points, but I think that’s just a matter of experience.” But what the Australian public has learnt however, is that Aiava is a name to watch, and represents a future in Australian tennis that is exciting and driven.
Destanee in action during Monday's Australian Open.
Picture: TENNIS AUSTRALIA
Twenty20 finals to be decided By David Nagel WGCA TWENTY20 KOOKABURRA CUP - FINALS PREVIEW Only three clubs have claimed the WGCA Twenty20 Kookaburra Cup with Kooweerup looking to continue that 11-year tradition on finals day at Pakenham’s Toomuc Reserve on Sunday. The Demons will be the sole representative of an exclusive group; with Cardinia and Tooradin the only other teams to have tasted success in the newest, shortest, and most exciting format of the game. Tooradin won the first tournament in 2005/06 and the most recent title last year, with Cardinia (six titles) and Kooweerup (three) sharing the tasty, meaty bit of the sandwich. But the Demons face a new challenge this year, with Devon Meadows, Pakenham and Upper Beaconsfield forming the silky quartet set to lock horns in Sunday’s finals series. The Demons take on Devon Meadows in one semi-final on oval1, with Pakenham and Upper Beaconsfield colliding on oval-2. The two winners will meet for the title of Twenty20 champions of West Gippsland. It’s a title that has narrowly eluded Upper Beaconsfield in the past, the Maroons three times runners-up after losing to Cardinia in 2009 and the Demons in 2012 and ’15. One of the Maroons’ greatest ever players, leg-spinner Scott Pitcher, believes the time could be right for the Maroons to finally hoist some silverware. “We’re pretty good at the short form of the game but we just can’t seem to get across the line,” Pitcher explained. “Every player is in the game,
Upper Beaconsfield pair Julian Bayard and Jono Caderamanpulle will be part of the free-swinging action when the WGCA Kookaburra Cup is decided at Pakenham on Sunday. 161206 Picture: ROB CAREW they’re fun to play, and it’s great for the club to once again make it this far into the tournament.” The Maroons - currently fifth on the Premier Division ladder - are the only member of the remaining four not certain of playing finals in the regular season. Kooweerup and Pakenham are top two in Premier Division while the Panthers are the runaway leaders in District. “Look, we haven’t given up hope of playing finals this year but we’re no shoo-in like the others and hopefully that makes it a bit more important to us,” Pitcher said. “The other teams are all quality but we firmly believe our best cricket will match them on the day. We’ve always played this format of the game well and we understand what’s required to win.” The Maroons’ understanding of
the short form was nurtured early in the piece, with former first-class player Shawn Flegler imparting his knowledge during his time at the club. Flegler was heavily involved with the Melbourne Stars in their initial years in the KFC Big Bash and brought a level of professionalism to Upper Beaconsfield. “He was fantastic with what he brought to the table,” Pitcher enthused. “Just little things like where to bowl to batsmen to concede a single, not a four, and how important fielding was before many people recognised it. I think the Twenty20 game has really improved local cricket and I think the association (WGCA) should genuinely consider scheduling some games in the regular season.” This weekend looms as one of
the most exciting finals series on record, with marquee signings from all four clubs set to make an impact. Devon Meadows has batsmen Chris Benedek from Casey-South Melbourne, Kooweerup its former junior and now Dandenong star Adam McMaster, while Pakenham has signed former Victorian-Under 19 representative Dale Tormey to get it across the line. But the Maroons, well they lack nothing in comparison. They have former Sri Lankan one-day international star Kaushalya Weeraratne in their line-up, the man who once rewrote the record books with the fastest domestic halfcentury, coming off just 12 balls. “He’s a great player,” Pitcher explained. “He used to bowl fast but relies on his batting more these days. He’s one of those blokes who you think is on 20 but he’s already on 40. Hopefully he can put that international experience to good use on the weekend.” The semi-finals begin at 11.30am with the grand final scheduled for 3.15pm. There will be a jumping castle for the kids and prizes for the first spectator catch in either innings of the grand final. KOOKABURRA CUP - PAST WINNERS 2005/06 Tooradin 2006/07 Cardinia 2007/08 Cardinia 2008/09 Cardinia 2009/10 Cardinia 2010/11 Kooweerup 2011/12 Cardinia 2012/13 Cardinia 2013/14 Kooweerup 2014/15 Kooweerup 2015/16 Tooradin
The lids will spring for the Warragul Cup heats this Saturday January 21.
Warragul Cup goes to the dogs The Warragul Greyhound Racing Club has attracted strong fields for Saturday’s heats of The Endeavour Locksmiths Group 2 Warragul Cup (460m). The Warragul Cup is the second leg of the Gippsland Carnival, with expectations high following a massive launch in Sale last month. A high-class field of sprinters from across Victoria is expected to compete for the $47,000 first prize on 28 January, as kennel stars chase a share of more than $800,000 in prizemoney across the Gippsland Carnival. A sprint and distance series will link all four legs, including Sale, Warragul, Cranbourne and Traralgon, with a Gippsland Champion Sprinter and Gippsland Champion Stayer, crowned at the end of the carnival. The stayers will show their strength over Warragul’s 680m course on Cup night as they vie for points to earn the title of the Carnival’s top stayer. Warragul’s feature night will be held as a twilight meeting followed by Cranbourne taking centre stage on 11 February and Traralgon wrapping up the Carnival with a grand finale on 25 March. There will be plenty happening off the track at Warragul with an alcohol-free area featuring GAP dogs to meet and pat, a special kids’ zone with Turbo the mascot, family activities and entertainment, local food trucks offering the best from local operators and a Gippsland spin on Fashions on the Field.
Contact Star Sport with sport stories and results on phone 5945 0666, fax 5945 0777 or email: sport@starnewsgroup.com.au