TENNIS - Sexes to battle it out

15th October 2008

SHANE HURNDELL

Former Hawke's Bay tennis No 1 John Francois has never been afraid to boast.

And to be fair, the long-time Hastings kingpin has usually had plenty to boast about.

His 16 Hawke's Bay residential singles titles are a record unlikely to be beaten and he was the magnet for Hastings' 13 wins in Hawke's Bay's premier men's interclub four-man competition during the past 14 years.

In his prime, Francois, 43, was also a more-than-handy squash player, table tennis player and is still a shark at cards and sports tipping.

But SportToday feels he may have put his foot, or racket to be precise, in his mouth with his latest boast.

"I'll never be beaten by a woman," he told a few of his Hastings clubmates recently.

As a result of this boast, a "Battle of the Sexes" exhibition match has been organised as a feature attraction during the Hastings Tennis and Squash Club's centennial celebrations at Labour weekend.

Francois will take on Auckland-based former New Zealand Federation Cup player Niki Tippins in a three-set match scheduled for the Saturday.

However, if the weather is rough, the Cape Physio-sponsored match will be played on the Sunday.

Match organiser Ian Purdon was referred to 32-year-old Tippins (left) by well-known Auckland ASB Women's Classic tournament director, Richard Palmer.

"Niki was excited about the match from the first discussion," said Purdon.

Exhibition squash matches will also be played, along with a junior doubles tennis exhibition.

A speed-serving competition will be staged, with preliminaries before the Francois-Tippins clash and finals afterwards.

Purdon agreed it won't be the first time Francois has played on his home courts with the home crowd behind his opponent.