Whitehorse Daily Star

Image title

Photo by Marcel Vander Wier

GUNNING FOR SIX – Jan Polivka is eyeing his sixth straight men’s singles title.

Image title

Photo by Marcel Vander Wier

WARMING UP – Eric Hindson, right, returns a shot from teammate Michel Gelinas as the duo warms up last night.

Image title

Photo by Marcel Vander Wier

UNLEASHES THE FOREHAND – Vickie Roche smashes a hit during action at Mount McIntyre tennis courts.

Image title

Photo by Marcel Vander Wier

STRETCHING OUT – Andrew Bielz reaches out to return a shot to Shahid Syed during their Yukon Championship round robin tennis match yesterday. Syed won.

Image title

Photo by Marcel Vander Wier

EYEING A TITLE – Kyle Marchuk is participating in the mixed doubles division with his mother, Vickie Roche.

Titles up for grabs as tennis playoffs get underway

More than 20 Yukon tennis players are in the midst of a playoff run this week.

By Whitehorse Star on August 22, 2014

More than 20 Yukon tennis players are in the midst of a playoff run this week.

The courts at Mount McIntyre were busy again last night as players took to the courts for Yukon Championship round robin matches.

The tournament is expected to wrap up Monday with the men’s singles and mixed doubles finals after rain Tuesday pushed the event schedule back by one day.

Winners of the men’s and women’s doubles – as well as women’s singles – will be determined by final round robin standings, said Tennis Yukon head coach Jan Polivka.

In fact, Aline Halliday has already secured the women’s singles title, going unbeaten in round robin play. Five women competed in the category.

Polivka, meanwhile, is eyeing his sixth straight men’s singles title in Whitehorse, a streak that started after his 2008 championship loss to Kyle Marchuk.

Twelve players are competing in the men’s singles category in three pools.

Seven teams are battling in the mixed doubles event, while the men’s and women’s doubles include four teams each.

As another competitive tennis season draws to a close, interest in the game continues to rise in the North.

Polivka said 140 players registered for Tennis Yukon’s shoetag program this season – allowing them to use the tennis courts at their own discretion.

“That is 10 persons more than last year,” the coach said.

While the annual territorial championships mark the end to Tennis Yukon’s competitive season, players will continue to use the courts into September, weather permitting.

Be the first to comment

Add your comments or reply via Twitter @whitehorsestar

In order to encourage thoughtful and responsible discussion, website comments will not be visible until a moderator approves them. Please add comments judiciously and refrain from maligning any individual or institution. Read about our user comment and privacy policies.

Your name and email address are required before your comment is posted. Otherwise, your comment will not be posted.