Tennis talent to fight it out in Casey Classic

By Marc McGowan
THE region’s best tennis talent will be on show at the inaugural Casey Open Classic at Casey Tennis Centre this weekend.
A total of 109 competitors from all over the state have entered the event, but locals will be among the favourites in both the men’s and women’s open singles.
Exciting teenage prospects Montana Grenfell, from Berwick, and Bryanna Fisers, from Narre Warren North, lead the local charge in the women’s competition as the second and fourth seeds respectively.
Endeavour Hills trio Jay Salter (third), Michael Turlejski (sixth) and Aaron Tran (13th), Doveton’s Trent Cobb (fifth) and Berwick’s Andrew Rabinovich (eighth) are all seeded in the men’s draw.
Lilydale’s Tim Verlin and Kingston’s Ella Bourchler are the number one seeds in the men’s and women’s open singles respectively.
Seedings follow competitors’ Australian rankings.
Other events include the men’s and women’s open doubles and the men’s A-grade and B-grade singles.
Players are competing for $3000 worth of prizemoney, including $700 to the men’s open singles’ winner and $500 to the women’s open singles’ victor.
Tournament director Paul Kleverlaan was pleased with the number of entries.
“I would have liked a few more, but it’s pretty good for our first event and I’m happy with (the quality of players in) the draws,” he said.
“I’m expecting the tournament to grow significantly over the next few years.”
Kleverlaan is looking forward to watching the local hopes in action.
“I’m interested to see how Trent Cobb goes because he’s really jumped up in the Australian rankings recently,” he said.
“It’s certainly an open event and I’d be very happy if a local takes it out.”
Kleverlaan also runs the Casey Junior Masters, which was held for the first time this year, coinciding with the first week of the Australian Open.
The Casey Junior Masters looks set to be held during the second week of the Australian Open next year.
Casey Open Classic matches will run from this Saturday until Monday – weather permitting.
Casey Tennis Centre is located in Sweeney Reserve, off Golf Links Road, Narre Warren.