Tennis club declares champs

The Moose Jaw Tennis Club wrapped up its season and crowned the 2009 city champions this weekend, with some pretty stiff battles providing plenty of entertainment for the crowd of spectators.
Jorgen Poulsen beat Jim Kirkpatrick (6-2, 6-7 (3), 6-1) to claim the men's single title Sunday.
"It was, overall, pretty good," said Poulsen. "I was struggling every once in a while but it worked out in the end. Jim put up a good (effort) for the second set and took it all the way to a tiebreaker."
The Denmark native had to praise the tenacity of his opponent.
"He has a great shot," said Poulsen. "His shots are better than mine when he gets a good hit."
Kirkpatrick was a bit sore after a weekend of tough games, but he was happy to make it all the way to the final.
"It's so nice to do that, and scare a few of them," he said. "I really didn't think I'd get by (the younger guys). But I managed to play well enough there. Today I played one really good set, and I would have loved to have been able to play another one like that."
Poulsen said he likely won't have a chance to defend his title next year, as he will be leaving the area after his training for the Danish Air Force at 15 Wing is complete next spring.
In men's doubles, meanwhile, Jordan Ponak and Drew Hager emerged from a lengthy battle over Clayton Sjoberg and Gene Rizak with sets of 7-6 (5) and 7-6 (5).
"We played well, they just played better," said Sjoberg. "They were really good. I thought they made the shots when they had to."
Rizak was a little less generous.
"They were lucky," he said. "One shot here and there."
Both Rizak, 71, and Sjoberg, 61, agreed that their young opponents had an advantage, especially in the hot sun.
"(Young legs) played a part from the start," said Sjoberg.
But even the victors were catching their breath after their elders made them work for the title.
"It was hard out there, with the heat," said Ponak, 23.
"Those two tiebreakers were tough," agreed Hager, 18.
The two praised their opponents for keeping the pressure on them throughout the game.
"They make you hit the shots or you're not going to win," said Ponak.
Both Hager, the defending men's singles city champion, and Ponak were disappointed with coming up short in solo play, but the doubles trophy provided some consolation.
"Makes it a little better," said Ponak. "Wish we would have played a little better in singles."
In other divisions, Gerry Gieni and Joan Buckmaster went undefeated en route to the mixed doubles title. Gena Parent claimed the women's singles title, while Parent and Gloria Pitzel took the women's doubles hardware. Mike Flegal was crowned the junior boys champion, while Paige Hager won the junior girls.
Drew Hager, who was the manager of the club during the season, was pleased with the weekend overall, noting the large number of participants.
"I was really happy with how the tournament went this year."

Taylor Lambert can be reached at 691-1260