A SOUTH-West tennis team will use its versatility to push for a top-four finish at the John Fitzgerald Cup this weekend.
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Harry Boyd, Patrick Drake, Joseph Mahony and Wihan Van der Merwe will compete in the two-day under 13 boys’ tournament in Swan Hill.
The competition, on Sunday and Monday, has attracted 10 teams from around the state.
South-west network tennis co-ordinator Andrew Drake believes his team will target semi-finals.
It plays Mornington Peninsula, East Gippsland, Central Highlands and Northern Mallee in its pool games, which consist of singles and doubles action.
Drake said South West’s four players were strong and consistent and would bring different strengths to the John Fitzgerald Cup.
Three of the four — Harry, Patrick and Joseph — play men’s A grade at Warrnambool Indoor Tennis Centre on Monday nights and all four compete in tournaments.
“Harry is very quick on the court. Any ball around the court he’s nearly guaranteed to get to it,” Drake said.
“Patrick, my lad, his strength is he has good power and if he gets his serve going he can really do some damage on grass.
“Joseph is a lefty and that can be an advantage; it can catch players out.
“I have seen some good improvement over the last 12 months and he’ll really hold his own.
“Wihan has come a long way as well. He’s consistent and has got a one-handed backhand that most kids his age don’t have.”
Harry, Patrick and Joseph represented South West at the John Fitzgerald Cup last year, with Wihan new to the 2014 team.
“Last year it was a dead rubber unfortunately,” Drake said. “Once we played all of our rounds, it rained.
“We were meant to play for positions five to eight but they weren’t played.
“At this stage, because we got to that position last year, I believe we should improve significantly this year.”
The John Fitzgerald Cup is a selection process for the Foundation Cup Interstate Challenge in Sydney in January.
Four players will be invited to represent Country Victoria at that event.
Warrnambool Lawn Tennis Club will host the Foundation Cup for under 13 girls on November 16 and 17.