Matt Spooner has been in more Wairarapa closed regional one men's singles finals than he would care to remember.
But he can recall just the two wins and is determined to chalk up number three when he plays Luke Atkinson at the Masterton Tennis Centre tomorrow.
"I've come second alot, a guy by the name of Jono Hurley has generally stopped me going any further," Spooner said yesterday.
With Hurley now in Australia Spooner was the hot favourite for this year's title but he isn't writing off the chances of an Atkinson upset.
"Luke is a hard hitter and if he gets on his game anything could happen.Yes, I know most people will expect me to win but I'm taking nothing for granted."
Spooner's own tactics will revolve around using the edge he is likely to have in fitness. "A few long rallies might help, mightn't they?" he said.
The regional one women's singles title will be decided on a round robin format between Katie Wyeth, Georgia Atkinson, Dushka Warren and Bridget Needham - with Wyeth and Atkinson the leading hopes there while the regional two men's singles will be a shoot-out between Peter Hampson and Jamie McMaster.
