????????????????????????????????????|The Bedard Family – Photo: Peter Figura|Guido and Inge Weber – Photo: Peter Figura
The 2019 Steve Stevens Senior National Tennis Championships came to a close on Saturday. Taking place at numerous clubs across the Greater Toronto Area from August 18-24, this year’s event was a roaring success with hundreds taking part as favourable weather ensured a staggering 1008 matches were completed in total.
There were plenty of familiar and intriguing participants but none more so than Robert ‘Bob’ Bedard. Bedard was the last Canadian to win the Rogers Cup men’s singles title back in 1958. He competed in the Steve Stevens Senior Nationals Over 80s bracket and many of his family members also took part in the event’s various age groups.
Whilst there were riveting matches throughout the tournament, the Men’s Over 50s final was a particularly enthralling encounter. It featured recently-crowned Over 50s world champion Taras Beyko and Matthew Akman. Beyko did not drop a single set at the World Championships last week so the task facing Akman was a difficult one to say the least.
Despite that, though, Akman played admirably, winning the first set to ensure the match would, at the very least, go the distance. His penetrating forehands and cross court backhands were proving particularly tough for his opponent to return. However, Beyko soon found some form and, in the second set, started to get the better of Akman. In the end, Beyko earned a 2-6, 6-1, 6-2 victory.
Meanwhile, it was a family affair in the Over 80s as brother and sister Guido and Inge Weber were crowned champions of the men’s singles and women’s singles respectively. Inge claimed her title after winning every match of her round robin, while Guido stormed to a 6-4, 6-2 victory over Horst Dammholzin Saturday’s final.
For more information on the Steve Stevens Senior National Tennis Championships, including a full list of players, draws and results, please click here.
(Feature photo: Peter Figura)
