With 146 entries including 44 in the open men’s singles, the tournament provided some outstanding tennis.

Congratulations to Raymond Terrace star Elizabeth Searl for winning the open women’s singles from Stephanie Sanchez, the open mixed doubles with Greg Lynch and finishing runner-up with Keira Matthews in the open women’s doubles.

At the time of writing the open men’s singles was up to semi-final stage.

In a local derby, leading Newcastle coach Richard Nicholls teamed with one of his top juniors, James Plowman, to take on James and Michael McKee in the open men’s doubles final.

Lake Macquarie Tennis Centre juniors Matthew Wenta and Tara Hamilton continued their winning ways.

Tara won the special women’s singles and Matthew will meet Richard Nicholls in the semi-final of the open men’s singles.

Local coach Thibaut Heuns will meet the number-one seed Gavin Levy in the other semi-final.

It was certainly a big weekend for Lake Macquarie Tennis Centre mother and daughter Angela and Krystal Dahms.

Angela commenced the weekend by teaming with Kath Willis, Donna Roddam, and Carolyn Moore to take out the centre’s Friday ladies' midweek competition from the strong team of Danielle and Donna Hepple, Julie Allsop and Judy Mitchell.

Angela, Kath, Donna and Carolyn are in outstanding form dominating Lake Macquarie Tennis Centre’s premier women’s competition.

Angela continued her winning form by taking out the B-grade women’s singles at the Port Stephens Open and Krystal confirmed her recent development by reaching the semi-final of the women’s special singles.

We regularly see mother and daughter practising together and they are reaping the rewards for their dedication.

It is also wonderful to see mother and daughter with a common interest.

On a personal note, congratulations to my niece Stephanie Williams on receiving a $20,000 award as the Australian Ballet’s ballerina of the year.

Stephanie, born and breed in Newcastle, is now residing in Melbourne when not on tour. Stephanie has worked extremely hard to achieve the heights she has but still is a down-to-earth Newcastle girl.