Raffles beat VJC 3-2 to reclaim A Division girls’ tennis title

By Marvin Lowe

Kallang Tennis Center, Wednesday, May 20, 2009 – Raffles Institution reclaimed the A Division Girls’ Tennis Championship title after beating Victoria Junior College 3-2 in the final. Raffles, led by Singapore’s top female tennis player, Stephanie Tan, strategically placed three strong individuals to win all the singles matches to seal the deal for them.

Between the trio of Stephanie Tan and sisters Carolyn and Laura Lim, they only dropped a single set. Both Stephanie and Carolyn swept past their opponents 6-0, 6-0. Laura dropped the only set but still breezed through 6-0, 6-1. VJC’s strategy was to win both the doubles and win one singles game. While they won both the doubles games, none of their singles player posed much of a challenge to the RI trio.

VJC’s first double pairing of Eunice and Rachel Lim managed to overcome the Raffles’ pair of Tessa Ong and Grace Feng 7-6, 6-2. It was a gruelling first set but Eunice and Rachel managed to grind down the Raffle’s pair to sneak past them 7-6. The second set was much easier for them. Breaking the Raffles’ pair serve early was crucial and breaking their serve twice allowed the VJ pair to romp home 6-2 for the win.

The second doubles match up saw VJC’s captain Victoria Tan and Danella Foo take on the Raffles pairing of Ooi Shi Min and Leong Jia Li. It was a close affair but VJC edged forward by claiming the first set 6-4. They then closed out the game by winning the final set 7-6. Despite their victory, it wasn’t enough for them to retain their title.

Coach Weber, who has been coaching the Raffles team for 17 years, was proud of his team’s performance.

“We had good strong individuals to carry us through. VJC strengthened their doubles teams today but we managed to pull through. I am really proud of my girls’ achievements.”