For the second year in a row, Marina Erakovic has won the Peter Snell Institute of Sport Sportswoman of the Year award at the 2005  Sporting Excellence Awards.  Marina was presented with the award at a Gala Dinner held at Eden Park last Friday to honour Auckland’s top sporting personalities.  Sean Berman was a finalist in the Sparc Junior Sportsman of the Year category but was edged out by hockey player Hamish Baron.  Chris Lewis was also a finalist in the Honda Cars Newmarket Coach of the Year category.  Longtime tennis stalwart Donald Sim was acknowledged in the Auckland City Service to Sport category.  Another highlight of the evening for tennis was the Sport Auckland Special Recognition Award honouring Chris Lewis for his contribution to the game in Auckland.

Oliver Statham beat Chris Haskett (Aus) 7-6 7-6 to qualify for the main draw of the US$15000 Men’s Futures tournament at Barmera, Australia.  Oliver recorded a win over promising junior Sam Groth in an earlier round.  Statham has been drawn to play fellow qualifier James Cerretani (USA) in the first round of the main draw.

Despite the absence of a number of leading players, the Auckland junior rep team defeated North Harbour by 24 matches to 21 in the annual Battle of the Bridge.  Auckland won the 10 and under age group quite comfortably but suffered a heavy loss in the 12’s due to the unavailablity of national champions Sean Berman, Tanya Samodelok plus several other eligible juniors.  The Auckland squad also chalked up victories in the 14 and 16 age groups.  Congratulations to all team members for their winning performance.   For a full list of results click here.

Tracey O’Connor beat Tamara Novoselac (Cro) 6-1 6-0 to cruise into the last round of qualifying at the US$25000 ITF Women’s Circuit tournament at Mt. Gambier, Australia.  Her final round opponent is Melanie South from Great Britain.

Tracey O’Connor lost 7-6(0)6-0 to Melanie South (GBR) in the last round of qualifying at the US$25000 Kia International in Nuriootpa, Australia. Oliver Statham was beaten 6-2 6-1 by Colin Ebelthite (Aus) in the second round of qualifying at the Kia International Men’s Futures in Berri, Australia.

Another top-20 player has confirmed their entry for January’s 2006 Heineken Open featuring the Sovereign singles and doubles with Spaniard David Ferrer set to hit the court in Auckland. Ranked at No15 Ferrer’s entry means there are now five players inside the world’s top 20 with defending champ Fernando Gonzalez (13), Robby Ginepri (17), Juan Carlos Ferrero(18) and Dominik Hrbaty(19). More…

Tracey O’Connor lost 7-6(0)6-0 to Melanie South (GBR) in the last round of qualifying at the US$25000 Kia International in Nuriootpa, Australia. Oliver Statham was beaten 6-2 6-1 by Colin Ebelthite (Aus) in the second round of qualifying at the Kia International Men’s Futures in Berri, Australia.