While it looked for a moment we would have to cancel or postpone another tournament, COVID-19 restrictions were lifted allowing 92 veterans to get to Ballarat to play in the 2021 Ballarat Open last weekend.

Dandenong’s Teo Hai Taing won the O/40’s Men’s Singles in straight sets following an undefeated group stage run. While Oksana Listkova (Eastern Suburbs) took out the O/40 Women’s title.

Warrnambool’s David Brand defeated Phillip Websdale after taking out number two seed Mikhail Geller and Jeff Dever in the final bracket. Geelong’s Vicki Carruthers made her way through the group stage before going on to win the O/60 Women’s Singles.

Finally, in the O/70’s, Wonthaggi’s Mick Wright battled his way past the number two seed Igor Klaf, as well as top seeded Michael Ede, in an impressive performance to claim the victory.

“It was fantastic to see 92 entrants in a country Veterans tournament, especially when we weren’t 100% sure the restrictions would ease in time for Ballarat to hold the tournament,” said TTV ECO Claire Montgomery.

“In the end we were able to play, and the turnout and quality of competition was great, we are very excited to see plenty of the same faces at MSAC in the upcoming Vic Closed Veterans and Country Championships.”

The S-Trend Vic Closed Veterans set for July 18 is the next tournament on the Victorian tournament calendar with the 70^th Annual Country Championships closing out July in style between July 31-August 1.

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