Wednesday Sees SPO Connell plans to get to the top in the New Year ‘Tennis player aims for better singles standing TO MANY, new vear’s res- olutions are an annual exer- cise in futility. By Bob Mackin Jr. Contributing Writer But Canada’s top male tennis Player Grant) Connell) plans to stick by his pledges. The North Vancouverite solidified his foothold in the up- per echelons of men's doubles this year by advancing (to the final stages of two key tournaments Down Under with partner Glean Mitchibata. The duo became the fourth doubles team in the world in 1999, In the new year, Connell hopes to continue the success that made him $307,000 richer. But he is set- ting his sights on improved singles standings and better performance in Europe. “It was a good year for everything,’’ the 25-year-old southpaw told the News after a Sunday workout at the North Shore Winter Club. ‘‘My singles was a little more persistent this year, and in the doubles, Glenn and I had almost as good a year as you can get. “I'd like for Glenn and I to win a big tournament and fer me to be in the top 50 in singles — that’s my goal. I’ve come close but I’ve never really exploded on the singles scene like | have in doubles. [ll possibly cut back on the doubles a little bit and put more emphasis on singles.” Connell and Mitchibata reached the semi-finals of the ATP World Championships in Sanctuary Cove, Australia after defeating the top two seeds along the way. Reid, Rice badminton NANCY REID and Allison Rice of the Hollyburn Country Club won the doubles badminton event at the last junior ranking tourna- ment of the year beid in Calgary recently at the Glenco Club. The Hollyburn duo lived up to their ranking as number one seed by advancing through the entire tournament without losing a single game. In the finals, Reid and Rice defeated the Vancouver pair of Au Khan and Jennifer Wong. In their first season playing together, Reid and Rice have won all three national ranking tournaments this year. This makes it an undefeated year for the talented pair, and raises their nationa! ranking to number one in Cunada. In the semi-finals, Reid and Rice defeated another team from Hollyburn, Charisse Wong and Ali Paterson. According to Hollyburn coach Zip Dhanani, the three tourna- ments have provided the TENNIS ACE Grant Connell has a No. 50 or better singles rank- ing on his new year’s wish list. However, in the Australian Open the pair went where no Canadian duo had gone before — the final of a Grand Slam event. Connell can't explain the reasons for his inspired play in Australia. “| don’t know if it has to do with the court there. I've done well in some indoor tournaments there ~— [ grew up on indoor courts here at NSWC. Then the (outdoor) Australian Open. It's weird, Glenn and f had consistent results, so it’s just been good to us.”* Ranked No. 92 in singles, Con- nell begins his 40-week long season in neighboring New Zealand in two weeks, obviously counting on more of that South Seas magic. Although he likes travelling to exotic locales, he wishes he could play more often in his hometown; his most recent match here was last spring’s Davis Cup qualifying triumph over Brazil at Canada Place. “It would be nice to have a big tournament here. We're overdue. Fifteen to 20 years ago we used to have a tournament here where Rod Laver, Arthur Ashe and the stars of yesteryear played. We had good turnout for the Federation Cup and the Davis Cup, so it’s just a matter of somehow getting See Grant page 16 reach top spot Hollyburn pair with a glimpse of what to expect for the national championships which are to be held in Calgary in March 1991. In the under-19 event, Elma and Moira Ong lost a heart-breaking three-game final to Carolyn Thorne of Quebcc and Bonnie Somlayai of Alberta. The final score in the third game was 18-17 for the Quebec-Alberta team. Other results for Hollyburn at the Glencoe tournament include: *U-14 girls singles: Meredith Burgon, silver; Carla Maclean, bronze. * U-14 mixed doubles: Maclean and Bobby Mitroy, silver. © U-16 girls singies: bronze. * U-16 boys doubles: Gregory Lonie and Mike Bondrove, bronze. © U-19 girls singles: Elma Ong, bronze. @U-19 girls doubles: Elma and Moira Ong, silver. Rice, nee | NEWS photo Mixe Wakefield Firefighters burn up court NORTH VANCOUVER district firefighter Lothar Bartels heads for the basket while Sutherland guard Masa Hashimoto (number 12) tries te head him off. Sutherland’s senior boys basketball team played the firefighters last Thursday to raise money for the North Vancouver Christmas Bureau. Experience prevailed over youth — barely — as the firefighters squeaked by the high school squad 44-43.