INDEPENDENT NEWS

Staham Brothers Clinch NZ Premier League Tennis Title For Hikurangi

Published: Fri 19 Jun 2020 07:16 AM
Rubin Statham has completed an unbeaten run in singles in the New Zealand Tennis Premier League to clinch the title for Hikurangi over Horokoau.
The 33-year-old New Zealand number one has won his eighth straight match 6-3 6-3 in 1 hour 14 over Alex Klintcharov to put his team 2-0 up.
Falck and Dylan Heap gained some consolation with a 7-6 6-1 win over Oliver Statham and Daniel Rowe in the doubles rubber for a 2-1 win for Hikurangi.
Games went with serve until the fifth game of the first set when Statham broke the 23-year-old Klintcharov to love and he never looked back.
“It was a fairy tale finish to a long process since hip surgery last year and I feel honoured to be competing again after such a long time. It was great to come through with my twin brother.” Statham said.”
Statham had earlier beaten Klintcharov 6-4 7-5 in the first week of competition.
Statham’s twin brother Oliver had got Hikurangi off to a winning start with a tough three sets win over 18-year-old Reece Falck.
Statham prevailed in a marathon 2-hour 22-minute battle 6-3 6-7 (2) 6-3.
Tongariro beat Taranaki 2-1 in the battle for 5th place.

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