A first set loss proved to be no problem for Drew Hager at the Moose Jaw Tennis Club championships.
Hager lost the first set of his men’s singles semifinal 7-6 to Kim Hagan before rallying for a 6-4, 6-1 three-set win.
In the men’s final, Hager once again came from behind to beat Brian Swanson 4-6, 6-1, 6-3.
“He played really well that first set. I wasn’t playing badly, but he was controlling the game. He was serving really well,” Hager said of Swanson’s performance in the final.
Swanson beat Mike Denne 5-7, 6-3, 10-6 in the other men’s semifinal.
The third set was closer than it looked. Hager led 4-3 but was able to break Swanson’s serve and close out the win.
“I made fewer mistakes and I was catching the line and getting a few shots to go in that were going out earlier,” said Hager after his fourth men’s singles title. “That second set it just kind of clicked. In the third, it was really tight, but I played pretty well and was confident.”
Hager then paired with Mike Pitzel to win another hard-fought match in men’s doubles. They beat Swanson and Hagan 7-5, 7-6 (4) in the doubles final. Hagan and Swanson had to come from behind in the semifinal as the beat Mark LeBere and Kevin Pilsworth 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 to advance.
Joan Buckmaster won the women’s singles final by beating Morgan Waller 6-4, 6-1.
In women’s doubles, Janet Jones and Brigette Wiebe beat Buckmaster and Gloria Pitzel 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (4) in a very close final.
Morgan Patsack defeated Shae DeMarce 6-1, 6-2 in the girls singles final.
Stephen Holzer defeated Mathew Martineau 6-1, 6-1 in junior boys final while
Ben Wourms Rowe finished third.
Buckmaster and Gerry Gieni won the mixed doubles title by beating Gloria and Mike Pitzel 6-2, 3-6, 10-5.
John Adamache and Joanne VanSlyck won the Lil Henderson Social Doubles trophy.
