Big fields for tennis champs

Entries have flooded in for the Marlborough Tennis Residential Tennis Championships that swing into action at the Forrest Winery Marlborough Tennis Centre this evening.

This year's residentials, sponsored by Quench Cafe and Wine Bar at Chateau Marlborough, have a new format and have attracted 42 individual players over the men's and women's singles, doubles and mixed doubles – a considerable increase on the small fields that lined up last year.

In the past, the residentials for each discipline have been played on separate days. This year, the disciplines will be run concurrently, spread over four consecutive Wednesdays, starting tonight. The competition will end on February 28 with a finals day.

A healthy 16-strong men's singles field is headlined by top seed Neil McPhee.

McPhee will face a stiff challenge from No2 seed Anthony Walkenhorst, who last week helped Rapaura Drylands to the interclub premier grade title.

No3 seed Robert Cowlishaw pushed Walkenhorst to a third-set super tie break during the No1 men's singles in the interclub final and, if on form, could challenge the top two seeds.

The experienced Neil Sonne and teenagers Jeremy Crouch and Caleb Mooney round out the six seeds.

Renwick coach Heiner Wirtz-Fielding is a notable absence from the draw as he continues to be hampered by a rib injury.

The women's field is wide open, with Rapaura standout Susan O'Neill, who completed interclub play unbeaten, unavailable.

Eveline Apthorp takes the No1 seed, with Lynn Murray seeded second. Teenager Annabelle Fluit fills the No3 seed while her mother, Elaine Fluit, is seeded four.

Large fields also line up in the men's, women's and mixed doubles.

The Rapaura duo of Craig Morris and Walkenhorst have top billing in an 11-strong men's draw.

Crouch and McPhee are the second seeds ahead of father-son combination Michael and Caleb Mooney.

Peter Rogge and Sonne are seeded four, followed by Cowlishaw and Chris Schollum and Mark Evans and Tony Fenemor.

Seven combinations have entered the women's competition, with Renwick's Sue Campbell and Murray seeded top.

Apthorp and Sally Jackson are the No2 seeds, with Elaine Fluit and Ros Suter third and Loren Sampson and Sandy Stubbs fourth.

Experienced combinations top the nine-strong mixed draw.

Morris and Murray are the top seeds, followed by John Patchett and Apthorp, and Rogge and Stubbs. Teenagers Crouch and Hannah Mooney, seeded fourth, will be out to make an impact for the younger brigade.

Morris, the Marlborough Tennis Association president, said it was pleasing to see interest increasing in the residential competition after a number of years of decline.

Chateau Marlborough general manager Lynley McKinnon said Quench Cafe and Wine Bar was excited to be involved with a a progressive and professional organisation and was proud to be supporting tennis in Marlborough.

Residential play begins at 6pm today, with players asked to report to the Marlborough Tennis Club by 5.45pm.

- The Marlborough Express