TENNIS: Hastings accountant almost bags scalp of the biggest fish

SHANE HURNDELL
When Hawke's Bay tennis player John Francois was in his prime he was often labelled "a big fish in a little pond."
Yesterday the 16-time Hawke's Bay Residentials champion, who is playing in the New Zealand Veterans Championships for the first time, came mighty close to beating a big fish from a big pond in Aucklander Paul Grubi, the top seed in the men's 35-45 singles at the Greendale courts.
"I'm shattered ... I can hardly move," said Francois after saving seven match points in a 3 1/2 hour marathon battle, which saw him win the first set 7-6, lose the second 6-2 and the third 7-4 in a tie-breaker.
Francois, an automatic Hawke's Bay selection from 1987 until last year, frustrated Bay fans with his reluctance to play in major tournaments outside the Bay.
"At the time I didn't think I was mature enough to be able to handle it. You can't turn back the clock and I've got no regrets about what I've achieved in tennis," said the Hastings accountant.
When asked if yesterday's battle had made him thirsty for more national veterans tournaments, Francois replied: "If I'm right physically there will definitely be more but at the moment I feel like my retirement is just around the corner."
Francois, 42, and his Hastings clubmate Paremo Araia were to play Grubi and fellow Aucklander Jason Sawyer today in a match expected to decide the 35-45 plus doubles title.
Araia, who is in his late 50s, is doing well in the younger age group considering his lack of matchplay in recent years. He is also playing with Hawke's Bay Lawn's Carole Rowsell in the 35-45 mixed doubles and they were today still in contention for that title.
Yesterday Araia and Francois beat the Havelock North father-and-son combination of Bob and Brendon Christensen 6-4, 6-0 in a doubles match.
Just two titles were decided during the first two days of the five-day nationals. In an all-Waikato women's 75plus women's singles final, Jean Murray beat Sue Cargo 4-6, 7-6, 6-4.
The oldest Hawke's Bay player in the tournament, 81-year-old Earle Denford, combined with Waikato's Graham Robinson to beat the North Harbour duo of Peter Pye and Lloyd Swanson 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 in their 80plus doubles final.