Defending champs bank opening round wins
Both 2013 Australian Open singles champions have got the defence of their titles off to a successful start with comfortable wins in the first round of the 2014 event.
The 2013 men’s singles champion, Aaron Wilson, conceded only seven shots en-route to a resounding 21-7 victory over NSW bowler Robert Matheson as he kick-started his 2014 campaign.
Two consecutive full counts helped Wilson get out to an 18-5 lead, before he conceded the thirteenth and fourteenth ends.
The fifteenth and sixteenth ends were both Wilson’s as he cruised to a fourteen shot win.
He will now take on Craig Mills who had a fight on his hands in a 21-9 win against Danny Simmons.
As reported on bowlsaustralia.com.au, Wilson’s opponent in the 2013 final, Western Australia’s Matthew Ayres, suffered a shock loss to Billy Johnson earlier in the day.
As women’s singles action got underway, current titleholder Lisa Phillips needed close to two and a half hours to complete her 21-15 win over Jo McMahon.
Phillips won only seven of 17 ends- however four hauls of three shots and a full count on the final end saw the 20 year old safely over the line.
There are numerous records in Phillips’ grasp as she moves through the tournament.
Should she successfully defend her title she will become the first bowler, male or female, to go back-to-back in the prestigious event.
Further to this, she could potentially become the first bowler to have secured three Australian Open titles following previous wins in 2013 and 2011.
Her win in last year’s final came against Australian legend Karen Murphy who will be looking to finally add an Australian Open title to her list of achievements when she open her 2014 account against Victorian Kellie Bowles at 4:00pm.
Women’s singles first round action continues on day two of the 2014 Australian Open – Monday, 17 February 2014 from 11am.
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By Skye McTavish
