2016 Victorian Open – Day 1
Defending singles champions Nathan Wilson (Essendon) and Carla Krizanic (Sunbury) are both on track to defend their titles after negotiating some tricky sectional and knockout matches on Day 1 of the 2016 Victorian Open.
Wilson triumphed in a rematch of last year’s men’s singles final against Wayne Roberts (Yarraville-Footscray) – this time in a second round knockout blockbuster 21-16.
The Victorian representative had earlier cruised through his sectionals on a busy day for all singles participants, who had to play two sectional matches, then two knockout games – many of which finished late on Saturday night and some which are still to be played.
Australian player Krizanic is through to the women’s last 16 after she won through a tough section against Anne Fox of Highton and 14-year-old rising star Kira Bourke (Maryborough Golf).
Bourke, who made the Victorian Under 18 women’s singles final earlier this year and played in her first Under 18 Nationals just weeks ago, found herself face to face with her idol in the sectionals at Shepparton Golf BC.
The youngster went with Krizanic early, before Krizanic ran out a 21-12 winner to keep her attempt at a fourth women’s singles title in five years alive.
Her next match is against Leongatha’s Angela Hackett.
Also through to the women’s last 16 is 2015 Vic Medallist Lisa Phillips (Melbourne) and Moama’s Marilyn Stephenson.
In matches completed on Saturday night, Bendigo’s Amelia Bruggy is also into the women’s last 16, overcoming Victorian state player Nic Shortis 21-16.
Others into the women’s last 16 include Canadian international Kelly McKerihen (Clayton), Ann McCarthy (Caulfield Park Alma), and Melissa Larcombe (Tweed Heads).
In the men’s singles, locals Brad Orr (Shepparton Golf), Matt Robertson (Benalla) and Josh Rudd (East Shepparton) all won through their sections, as did northern Victoria’s Australian Indoor runner-up Curtis Hanley (Melbourne BC).
But Orr and Hanley were gone by the early knockout rounds. Orr found himself in a tough first round knockout against Tony Wood (Ringwood) and went down 21-14, while Australian Indoor runner-up Hanley bowed out to Lloyd Iaccarino (Croydon) 21-17.
The 2014 men’s singles champion Safuan Said (Malaysia/MCC Kew) was another early sectional winner, as was Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Matthew Flapper (Ocean Grove).
Said and Flapper both went on to win their two knockout matches – Said seeing off Shepparton Park BC’s Charlie Pellegrino to make the business end of the tournament. Rudd and fellow Victorian players Nick McIntyre and Dane McKinnon also won their two knockout rounds to make the last 32.
Also through to the men’s singles last 32 is former Australian Open men’s triples winner Walter Jacobs – also the CEO of bowls manufacturer Aero Bowls. The Double Bay NSW bowler takes on Leigh McIlvenney (Lorne) when singles matches resume on Wednesday.
Four more second round knockout matches need to be played until the last 32 for the men’s singles can be finalised.
In a record field of 1,487 entries across men’s and women’s singles, pairs and triples and mixed pairs, players from all over Australia and overseas are competing, including a contingent from Thursday Island Bowls Club (pictured) off far north Queensland.
Thursday Island’s home green is made of bitumenized rubber, and some of their players were competing on grass for the first time at the Victorian Open.
Thursday Island’s star of Day 1 was Tilly Orero, who made the last 32 in the women’s singles before losing to experienced Claire Sanders (Yarrawonga MGCR) 21-18.
Fixtures, men’s singles
Results, men’s singles sectionals
Fixtures, men’s singles knockout
Results, men’s singles knockout
Fixtures, women’s singles
Results, women’s singles sectionals
Results, women’s singles knockout
Your guide to the 2016 Victorian Open
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