麻豆社区

Jan Polivka won his fifth men's singles tennis title in a row Friday night, beating Ken Liao 8-1 in a game rescheduled to beat an impending rainstorm.

If not for the change in game time, Polivka would have been unable to defend his longtime title, as he left Sunday to spend three weeks in his native Czech Republic.

The Tennis Yukon Championship began last Tuesday at the Mt. McIntyre tennis courts, with action continuing throughout the week. A variety of matches were postponed or rescheduled due to rain.

The championship tournament will conclude tonight with the women's singles final. Nicola Pritchet will square off with Maya Reindlova at 6:30 p.m.

Friday marked Polivka's moment in the spotlight, as the Tennis Yukon head coach claimed his fifth straight territorial title.

Polivka's current streak began after he lost his first chance at a title to Kyle Marchuk in 2008.

"I am happy that I won, but in general, we had fun over the week,鈥� he told the Star Friday. "The weather was holding until today. We had 10 players in the men's draw, and it was the closest level we have ever had in the last five or six years I've been here. The results were not that close, but the games were close.鈥�

While 10 battled on the men's side, seven competed for the women's title.

"We are growing and growing,鈥� Polivka said of Tennis Yukon's numbers. "Every year is better. You can definitely see that.鈥�

Polivka was also a winner in the mixed doubles division, teaming up with Anne Copland to beat Don Barker and Reindlova 8-0.

In men's doubles action, Kieran Halliday and Kevin Patterson teamed up to take the territorial title Monday night. The duo combined to beat Shahid Sayed and Zain Sayed 6-3, 6-2.

Fleur Marsella and Pritchet won the women's doubles title after going undefeated in round-robin play last week.

Other women's doubles teams included Nancy Hughes and Copland, as well as Gentianne Graham and Aline Halliday.

Hughes and Copland beat Graham and Halliday 8-7 in a closely-contested match to claim second.

Ewan Halliday and his sister Pascale Halliday won the junior titles last week Wednesday.

Ewan won the full-court tournament, beating out Ben Kischuk and Simon Kischuk, while Pascale defeated Amanda Thomson and Jaxson Fitzsimmons in the 3/4 court tournament.

Tennis Yukon president Stacy Lewis said the association enjoyed a fantastic season, thanks in large part to the beautiful summer weather.

"Compared to last year when it was so wet, the courts got a lot more use this year, which is always great to see,鈥� Lewis said.

While the territorial championships mark the end of the competitive outdoor season in Yukon, Lewis said recreational players will continue to use the courts well into September. Winter programming will take place at Yukon College over the winter.

Lewis said about 130 players registered for the shoetag program, which enables them to use the tennis courts at their own discretion.

"Those are nice strong numbers,鈥� she said. "On any weeknight after work, all four courts are busy, which is great.鈥�

Money raised through the shoetag program also allowed for the installation of courtside benches this season.

"They've been a nice addition to the courts,鈥� she explained. "That was a highlight of this year.鈥�

Other memorable moments included the Capital Cup tournament versus Juneau, and participation at the Canada Summer Games in Sherbrooke, Que.