MGB National Tennis Open Final
The first final of the Maccabi GB National Tennis Doubles Tournament sponsored by Barnett Ross Auctioneers took place on Sunday 8th November 2009. Daniel Cordell and Rob Taub faced Rob Levy and his partner Simon Sugar in the open category. Both pairs had played some sublime tennis on their way to the final and it was always going to be tough to pick a winner. The only slight advantage may have been Taub and Cordell as they have won the only previous encounter between the two pairs.
As the finalist knocked up at the David Lloyd Club in Chigwell it was clear that both pairs were focused on winning the final and whilst some jokes were shared beforehand, as the match got underway there was a tense atmosphere.
Levy and Sugar started by far the stronger of the two pairs, taking an early lead in the first set. Taub and Cordell tried to steady themselves and force their way back into the set, but as they won their first game, Levy and Sugar upped the pace of their game again and quickly found themselves serving to win the first set six games to one.
The second set was much closer with both pairs keeping serve, but as it looked like a tie might be needed Levy and Sugar again found extra reserve to break Taub and Cordell and again served for the set and indeed the match. Even then Taub and Cordell made a fight of the game taking a lead and looking like they might break back, but once again the Levy/Sugar combination was too strong and they held serve to win the match.
Maccabi GB's Sports Coordinator was impressed with the quality of the match, "It is great to see that sports like tennis not only generate great interest and enthusiasm, but are played at the standard we have witnessed today. It was thoroughly enjoyable to watch the match and congratulations must go to both finalists."