Australian Open takes its toll
The Australian Open has claimed the scalps of some the world's top bowlers
World number two Brett Wilkie has bowed out of the Australian Open after a disastrous day on the greens for the ‘Wiz’ of lawn bowls.
Having already been eliminated from the triples in round one, the former world champion turned his attention to the singles and pairs today but was unable to rekindle the success that saw him claim the singles title in 2009 and play off in the decider of the triples last year.
The Helensvale star was edged out of his round three singles match by Warilla’s Jesse Noronha in the tie-break, and was unable to make amends in the round two pairs alongside Commonwealth Games gold and silver medallist Mark Casey, with the duo getting burnt in straight sets.
Earlier in the day Casey had reiterated the importance of the match to the two teammates.
“The pairs is what Brett and I are really focusing on, we know it’s important for selection as well as obviously personal honours, so we really want to do well there.”
It proved to be a dark day for defending champions, with reigning pairs titleholders Neville Rodda and Lee Schraner dropping out of the competition in straight sets to South Australia’s Peter Thaler and Phil Hay. It was a similar scenario in the men’s triples, with defending champions Nick McIntyre, Matthew Flapper and Ali Forsyth suffering defeat at the hands of powerhouse combination Russell Green, world number one Leif Selby and Asia Pacific Championships gold medallist Nathan Rice.
Meanwhile, the semi-final positions of the women’s singles have been locked in, with four big game players set on a collision course for the coveted final.
Australian captain Lynsey Armitage progressed to the semi-final of the women’s singles after knocking off 2008 champion Katrina Wright in straight sets.
Having already claimed an Australian Open pairs and triples title, the Helensvale gun will be looking to capture her maiden national singles title but does not face an easy journey into the big game, with a showdown against an in-form Kellie Bowles from Warrnambool imminent.
Bowles, a former Victorian state representative, has been in tremendous form throughout the tournament, knocking off a litany of superstars on her way to the semi-final.
She shook the competition when she eliminated world number eight and current Australian women’s singles representative Kelsey Cottrell in round one, and has been unstoppable ever since, gunning down Australia A squad members Carla Odgers and Julie Keegan, and most recently Yarrawonga’s Anne Miles to cement her place against her biggest threat yet.
In the other semi-final, defending titleholder Lisa Phillips will be looking to become the first player to go back-to-back in the Australian Open singles, but faces a daunting task in Commonwealth Games silver medallist Claire Duke.
Staged from February 19 to 25, the Australian Open event features singles, pairs and triples for both men and women, as well as a festival of bowls which incorporates specific age groups and bowlers with a disability divisions.
Tomorrow will feature the semi-finals and final of the women’s triples, quarter-finals of the men’s and women’s triples, the men’s pairs round three and quarter-finals, and the men’s singles round four.
Click here for full results from the 2012 Australian Open.