Krstic and Butler storm into Fours Knockouts
It’s the end of week one on the Gold Coast for the 2023 Australian Open, and it is great to see a healthy contingent of Western Australians still in the running for the titles. Today, the Men’s Fours was cut down to just 16 teams remaining whilst the Women’s Fours has now reached the knockout stages. Let’s take a look at how our WA crew fared…
Unfortunately it wasn’t great news for our Men’s Fours contenders as they bowed out in the early knockout rounds today. Cody Packer and Blake Nairn’s respective teams progressed to the second round of knockouts only to fall short, both in close matches.
Better news in the Women’s Fours with Kristina Krstic and Laura Butler both advancing to the knockout rounds in very fine fashion. Krstic in a powerhouse combination with Ellen Ryan, Ellen Falkner and Brianna Smith blasted their way through with a 42 shot margin overall. Butler’s equally strong crew of Chloe Stewart, Katelyn Inch and Olivia Cartwright were just as impressive compiling a 62 shot advantage across just three matches.
Lisa Featherby’s crew of fellow West Aussie Linda Warburton, alongside Victorians Anne Miles and Claire Sanders also got through with big margins, albeit with a close one shot win in the last.
Second chance qualifiers have been kind to four WA linked teams. Maggie Newton’s, Irene Arndt’s and Anne Crabb’s teams all progressed, as did Anne Sauerwein as she combines with three non-WA players.
View the full knockout draw for the Women’s Fours here
Tomorrow’s action switches back to the Singles for both Men and Women. Here’s a look at WA’s prospects…
Men’s Singles Knockouts tomorrow…
Fifteen WA men have the chance to progress further in the Men’s Singles competition tomorrow, the four starting first thing in the alignment round. Cody Packer faces a tough first up clash against Victoria’s Brendan Gallagher, while Louie Beurteaux meets Australian Under-25 representative Nick Cahill in his first match. Glenn Martin and Ryan Havercroft are the other two WA players in the alignment round.
Already through to the round of 256, we have host of local talent. Pinjarra’s Peter Cole meets Australian Jackaroo Corey Wedlock tomorrow morning, while some of the cream of the State’s singles talent also features – Blake Nairn, Blake Butler and John Goddard are all former State Singles champions, and Jack East is the current WA Champion of Champion Singles winner – all will be looking to go far in the tournament.
Ron Nelson (Perth Tatts), Ryan Moyle (Doubleview), Callum Alberti (South Perth), Brad Ball (Pinjarra), Jeremy Thomas (Guilderton) and Shane Smith (Quinns Rocks) round out our remaining contenders.
View the full draw for the Men’s Singles knockouts here
Women’s Singles Knockouts tomorrow…
128 players remain in contention for the Women’s Singles title, with 5 of them hailing from WA.
The toughest part of the draw appears to have been handed to Kristina Krstic, with Kate Walker (NSW) first up, and a next round clash with fellow Jackaroo Dawn Hayman likely to follow.
Laura Butler and Wendy Flack are lined up to play each other in the second round should they both win their first matches, and should State Singles champion Irene Arndt get past the first knockout round, an interesting clash with up and coming star Brianna Smith beckons.
Finally, it is Leanne Gale facing NSW’s Amanda Monck, with a second round clash with Kelsey Cottrell the likely reward for winning.
View the full draw for the Women’s Singles knockouts here
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