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The MLPA Premier Division has delivered edge-of-your-seat action at the Queensland Tennis Centre over Days 2 and 3. Quarter-finals saw top teams battle, while the semi-finals confirmed the four sides set to clash for the ultimate crown. From dominant sweeps to tightly contested matches, the stage is now set for Championship Sunday, where the remaining Premier teams will fight for glory and a place in MLPA history.
The Vipers came alive on Day 2, outlasting the Surge 3–2. Ho Tam and Sophia Tran were immense in gender doubles, proving that when they click, Surge can push anyone. For the Vipers, it was captain Horridge/Cassidy combo who steadied and set it to a DreamBreaker.
Smash Too Strong for Glory
Smash, led by Mitch Hargreaves and Bernadette Massih, overpowered the Gold Coast Glory in a 3–1 result. The Glory showed spirit through Sarah Burr, but Smash’s doubles pairings had too much firepower.
The Crocs turned in one of their most complete performances, taking down Hustle 3–1. Andie Dikosavljevic and Jamie Haas led the charge with precision in doubles and relentless pressure in mixed. Hustle battled hard but left still chasing a win in Queensland.
The Eastern Rush outlasted the Breakers in a 3–2 thriller. It was a showcase of grit, with Katy Hart and Lauren Mercado delivering yet again. The Breakers had opportunities late but couldn’t convert against a determined Rush side.
Bondi stole the spotlight with a 3–1 demolition of the Mavericks. Roos van Reek and Kat Westbury were unstoppable, combining for crisp net play and relentless attacking pressure. The Mavericks were left stunned but still did just enough to qualify for finals.
The Aces delivered a flawless 4–0 sweep over the Stars, underlining why they’re the top seed heading into finals. Aiko Yoshitomi and Ekaterina Biakina set the tone, winning with authority in both doubles and mixed, with late sub call up Matt Kouznetsov relishing the pressure of MLPA. The Stars, meanwhile, bow out winless.
The brackets are locked, and the quarterfinals promise blockbuster matchups:
QF1 – Aces vs Mavericks (1–3):
The top-seeded Aces couldn’t hold off a relentless Mavericks squad. While Aiko Yoshitomi and Ekaterina Biakina took the opening women’s doubles, the Mavericks responded with strong mixed and men’s doubles performances. Nicola Schoeman and Hsiang Wen Huang led the way, sealing the tie 3–1 and advancing to the semis in style.
QF2 – Rush vs Glory (3–0):
Rush produced a clean sweep against Glory, controlling all doubles and mixed matches. Katy Hart and Lauren Mercado set the tone in women’s doubles, and the team never looked back. Glory struggled to find consistency, leaving Rush as the first semi-finalists confirmed.
QF3 – Bondi vs Breakers (3–0):
Bondi dominated Breakers from the outset, winning all matches decisively. Roos van Reek and Kat Westbury were unrelenting in doubles, while Bondi’s mixed pairing sealed the clean sweep. Breakers were unable to gain traction, marking a tough exit for the Queensland team.
QF4 – Smash vs Crocs (3–1):
In a competitive encounter, Smash overcame Crocs 3–1. After dropping the opening men’s doubles, Smash regrouped in women’s doubles, mixed, and the second men’s doubles. Yufei Long and Bernadette Massih were instrumental in keeping their team alive and pushing through to the semis.
Semi-Final 2 – Rush vs Bondi (2–3):
In a nail-biting clash, Bondi edged out Rush 3–2 to secure their spot in the Premier Division final. After trading wins early, Bondi’s Kat Westbury proved decisive, delivering clutch performances in both women’s doubles and mixed to tip the tie in their favor. Rush fought hard but just came up short in a thrilling finish at the Queensland Tennis Centre.
Semi-Final 1 – Mavericks vs Smash (1–3):
The Smash booked their spot in the Premier Division final with a 3–1 victory over the Mavericks. After clutch performances from Yufei Long and Bernadette Massih in women's doubles, Captain Mitch Hargreaves and Eunggwon Kim backed it up. Leaving the Mavericks short despite forcing it all the way to game 4 with strong individual efforts at the Queensland Tennis Centre.
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Tune in or come on down to Queensland Tennis Centre for Super Sunday with playoff matches at 8:00 am and the Championship Match at 3pm on Championship court, streamed on the PPA Australia Youtube
