The Australian Closed Championships wrapped up in Geelong with some fantastic finals matches. South Australia’s Verdet Kessler and Victoria’s Luke Chong were the big winners on the day, with each walking away with two titles.
Kessler whose mother Verniece Benjamin-Kessler was Bermuda's leading dancer 1970's – 1987, consolidated her spot as Australia’s top Ladies Singles player with win in the Women’s Singles over youngster Joy Lai who recently returned from representing Australia at the Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing, China. Kessler was pushed all the way but managed to hold on the claim the deciding game 21-17.
Kessler had won the first game 21-19, but Lai won the second game 21-15.
Chong opened the finals day strongly with a hard fought three game win in the mixed doubles with South Australian partner Talia Saunders over the Queensland/NSW combination of Simon Leung and Tiffany Ho. It was a great effort by the later pair to make the final, considering they are both still in the junior age group, however they were not quite strong enough in the final match.
After facing off in the Women’s Singles Final earlier in the day, Kessler and Lai joined forces in the Women’s Doubles, taking on another SA/Vic combination in Talia Saunders and Ann-Louise Slee. After dropping the opening game 21-14, Kessler and Lai fought back to level the match at one game all winning 21-13, before taking a close final game 21-18 in 40 minutes.
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