2023 Australian Open – Day 11 wrap
The men’s pairs final has been set at the 2023 Australian Open as the heavyweight pairs of Aaron Teys and Aron Sherriff and defending champions in Ben Twist and Aaron Wilson stormed through to Thursday’s decider.
The defending champs did so after beginning the morning with a resounding 22-6 win over Nathan Black and Nathan Pedersen before going on to overcome Tony Bonnell and Josh Barry in the quarters and then Matt Miles and Jesse Noronha in the semifinals.
Twist and Wilson will look to become the first men’s pair to successfully defend their crown and second pair in the history of the tournament, as well as becoming the first multiple winners of the men’s event.
Sherriff will look to become the first multiple winner for himself as he and Teys stormed their way to the final, knocking off Ken Devlin and Richard Lee 28-3 to send a statement to their rivals in the opening session of the day.
They rebounded with a 24-12 victory over Stephen Sale and Kobe Barton despite going down early in the contest, before a sensational 20-10 salutation over Scott de Jongh and Nick Cahill.
The women’s pairs saw havoc created as four of the five World Bowls Championships Right at Home Jackaroos were eliminated on a day filled with upsets.
Lynsey Clarke and Kelsey Cottrell were overcome by a zoned in Katelyn Inch and Chloe Stewart who emerged with a 17-11 victory in the round of 64, while Commonwealth Games gold medallists Kristina Krstic and Ellen Ryan were overcome by a superb Emma Spicer and Brianna Smith at the same stage following an epic contest.
Dawn Hayman and Jamie-Lee Worsnop enjoyed a comfortable day, progressing to the round of 16 with some brilliant displays, while Genevieve Delves and Natasha Van Eldik ensured their place thanks to some dominant bowls throughout the day.
2022 runners up Wendy Wilson and Triss Doolan also progressed, while World Champions Carmen Anderson and Ellen Falkner ensured their safety leading into the evening sessions.
Inaugural pairs winner Maria Rigby progressed with Jessica Parolin, having overcome the star power sister team of Cassandra and Bolivia Millerick.
The remaining sections of the over-60 men’s pairs competed on Tuesday, ahead of knockout rounds commencing on Wednesday.
With 99 sections, 29 next-best qualifiers advanced, needing at least two wins and 11 shots to progress to the finals.
Over 60 women’s pairs play also got under way on Tuesday. 2022 champions Terese McAlary & Faye Clarke were among 42 section winners to book a spot in the knockout stages, with 22 next-best qualifiers also progressing.
New Zealand international Chen Naude will meet an opponent yet to be determined in the men’s multi-disability singles final after enjoying round of 16, quarter final and semi final wins.
Naude narrowly edged out Byron Bay’s Mick Daly by one-shot in his first contest, before taking down Dale Mansfield and Geoff Seton on his way to the final.
He will face either Brett Sellars or Andrew Turner in the final, who were battling it out in a semi final on Tuesday night.
The multi-disability women’s singles final will feature 2022 Commonwealth Games partners Cheryl Lindfield and Serena Bonnell facing off against each other, after they were successful in their semi finals.
Two-time vision-impaired singles champion Jake Fehlberg will look to add a third title to his name, beating Serge ansquer by seven shots in his semi final. He will meet Queensland’s Scott Kinnear in the final, who was successful over Saul Calikes.
The 2023 Australian Open will run from the June 10-23, 2022 on the Gold Coast in Queensland with Rinkside Live coverage from 9am AEST daily on Bowls Australia’s Facebook page.
The Australian Open is supported by Major Events Gold Coast and the Queensland Government through Tourism and Events Queensland and features on the It’s Live! in Queensland events calendar.
