Bluhm defeated two-time champion Neil Smith 7-6 7-6 in an entertaining men’s open singles final.

Bluhm set up his finals’ appearance with strong victories over Darren Nash (6-1 6-1), Martin Wright (7-6 6-4) and Brad Williams (6-3 6-3) while Smith eliminated Frank Restuccia (6-2 6-1), Scott Eaton (6-2 6-4) and Dale Hyde (6-2 6-3).

Smith received some compensation in the men’s doubles final with Steve Thompson.

Smith and Thompson accounted for Eaton and Hyde 6-2 6-3.

Former junior champion Sarah Gillespie-Jones also capped off a successful tournament by winning the women’s open singles title.

Gillespie-Jones, who defeated number one seed and defending champion Ann Hamilton in the semi-final on Sunday, accounted for Holly Dowse 6-4 6-1.

Gillespie-Jones also teamed up with Hamilton to claim the women’s open doubles title 4-6 6-0 6-2 from Karen Thompson and Yvonne Stanton.

In the open mixed doubles, Hamilton and Bluhm proved too strong for Stanton and Thompson, winning a three-set final 6-4 1-6 6-0.

Port Macquarie players enjoyed success in the B grade and novice divisions.

In the B women’s singles, Kylie Dixon defeated Malee Lipman in an entertaining three-set encounter 6-4 0-6 6-4.

Emma and Abby Saunders combined their talents to win the novice women’s doubles in a round robin format over Ros Graham and Michelle Smith.

2001 Port Macquarie Easter Open Tennis championship results:

Open - men’s singles: Shannon Bluhm d Neil Smith (7-6 7-6); women’s singles: Sarah Gillespie-Jones d Holly Dowse (6-4 6-1); men’s doubles: Neil Smith/Steve Thompson d Scott Eaton/Dale Hyde (6-2 6-3); women’s doubles: Ann Hamilton/Sarah Gillespie-Jones d Karen Thompson/Yvonne Stanton (4-6 6-0 6-2); mixed doubles: Ann Hamilton/Shannon Bluhm d Yvonne Stanton/Steve Thompson (6-4 1-6 6-0).

Special - men’s singles: Martin Wright d Luke Martin (6-2 6-3); women’s singles: Holly Dowse d Samantha Clarke (6-2 6-4); men’s doubles: Craig Bullivant/Brian Adams d Brendan Jack/Kevin Jack (2-6 7-5 6-4); women’s doubles: Monique Wakefield/Karen Thompson d Elizabeth Nicholson/Karen Williamson (w/o); mixed doubles: Tracey Beard/Craig Bullivant d Monique Wakefield/Frank Restuccia (1-6 7-5 6-2).

B grade - men’s singles: James Dimauro d Michael Anderson (6-1 6-0); women’s singles: Kylie Dixon d Malee Lipman (6-4 0-6 6-4); men’s doubles: Ian Howard/Richard Howard d Barry Eglesfield/Richard Davidson (6-2 6-2); women’s doubles: Elaine Howard/Sheila Hunter d Jessie Gillespie-Jones/Katie Drysdale (6-2 6-1); mixed doubles: Bev Watson/Craig Bullivant d Karen Thompson/David Eyles (6-7 6-3 6-1).

Novice - women’s doubles: Emma Saunders/Abby Saunders d Ros Graham.Michelle Smith (round robin).

40 and over - men’s singles: Leo Jones d John Dean (7-6 1-6 6-3); women’s singles: Enid Ryan d Annette Harris (9-2); men’s doubles: Joe Assad/Brian Adams d John Dean/Peter Reardon (9-6); women’s doubles: Margaret Wayte/Julie Pratt d Enid Ryan/Betty Sweeney (round robin).

Combined ages 90 - men’s doubles: Don Diddle/John Williams d John Dean/Peter Reardon (9-6); women’s doubles: Margaret Wayte/Betty Sweeney d Julie Pratt/Enid Ryan (round robin); mixed doubles: Enid Ryan/John Dean d Bev Watson/Joe Assad (9-6).

16 and under - boys’ singles: Michael Anderson d Jordan Merry (6-1 6-1); girls’ singles: Samantha Clarke d Deon Adamson (6-0 6-2); boys’ doubles: Rohan Simpson/Paul Zvirzdinas d Joe Wolvey/Josh Kyle.

12 and under - boys’ singles: Jake Hamilton d Jordan Merry (6-2 6-3); boys’ doubles: Jordan Merry/Luke Eaton d Jake Hamilton/Jacob Keoreotes.