North players back up in brilliant fashion

By Paul Pickering
SPRINGVALE North Tennis Club stormed into the finals of the pennant Grade One competition on Saturday, sweeping past Upper Beaconsfield to cap a fairytale debut season.
The final-round win came in typically dramatic circumstances, with two of Springvale North’s key players backing up after a gruelling week at the Australian Money Tournament held at Melbourne Park.
Stephen Fotakis and Trent Cobb both progressed to the quarter finals of the tournament on Saturday morning, before making the trip out to Upper Beaconsfield to play in two doubles rubbers.
Mid-season recruit Anthony Di Domenico also played in the event – making it to the round of 16 – and fronted up on Saturday nursing an elbow injury.
But, despite the rocky preparation, Springvale North cast aside Upper Beaconsfield’s experienced doubles combinations to win all four rubbers.
Fotakis combined with playing-coach Stephen Sruk to cruise through their doubles encounters in straight sets (6-1 6-3 and 6-2 6-0).
Meanwhile, Cobb and Di Domenico won their first match in straight sets (6-2 6-2), before fighting off the fatigue to close out the final rubber in three (7-5 5-7 6-2).
Sruk was quick to praise his young guns for their commitment to the club’s cause.
“I was proud of the boys. It was a huge effort, because a lot of players would’ve said they’re tired from all the matches they’ve had and said they can’t play,” he said.
Sruk also recognised the contributions of Henryk Pawlukowski and Zelko Lovric, who were on standby for their teammates and happily stepped aside.
“That’s what makes our team great – our team spirit is awesome,” he said.
The result saw Springvale North secure second spot on the Section One ladder, setting up a home final against third-placed Essendon – in four singles and two doubles matches – this Saturday.
The winner of that clash will progress to the overall Grade One finals, which will include teams from Section Two.
Sruk is hoping the hometown support at Furnew Street will get his side over the line.
“We’re expecting our club members – especially the juniors – to be out in force to watch us play great tennis on Saturday,” he said.