Bloemfontein, South Africa – Despite a chilly autumn Bloemfontein morning top tennis was on show when the finals of the South African Junior Championships were completed at the Free State Stadium on Easter Monday. Tournament Referee, Ephraim Motsiane was relieved to have clear skies and welcomed the sunshine on finals day after rain delayed play most of the week forcing consolation matches to be canceled and rescheduling to take place.
In the under 18 age group Gauteng Central dominated, with second seed Michael Copeland winning the boys title whilst Nadine De Villiers of captured the girls title.
Second seed Copeland of Johannesburg upset top seed Nikolai Manchev of Kwa-Zulu Natal 6-2 6-2 in his final. A “nervous” Manchev made far too may unforced errors and was a shadow of the player that got him into Monday’s final. Copeland was for to consistent which pressurized Manchev into the unforced errors.
Top seeded Nadine De Villiers of Northcliff beat second seeded Lindsay Truscott of Gauteng North 6-3 6-4 in her final.
In the under 16 age group, Damon Kesaris gave Kwa-Zulu Natal their second title when he ended the giant killing run of Jordan Sauer of Pretoria. Kesaris whitewashed Sauer 6-0 6-0 in a dominating 52 minutes. The Amamzintoti 16 year old “cruised” into the final without losing a set in four matches played and lost only eleven games throughout the week.
The girls under 16 title went to Pretoria’s Mila Hartig the second seed who lost only one game when she trounced Nicole Petchey of Western Province 6-0 6-1. Petchey was suffering from an injured toe and influenza but gave credit to her victor. “Mila played well and was on top all the time. I was excited about reaching the final but today was just not my day, I didn’t feel great on court and struggled with my ankle but it’s no excuse, credit to Mila for taking the title” said Petchey following her loss.
Three Free State players qualified for the under 14 finals giving the host province a chance of a double age group title. Top seed hometown favourite, Philip Henning continued to impress and overcame a first set scare to beat second seed Justin Liebenberg 7-5 6-3 to win his fourth national title in the past four years played (2 x under 12 and 2 x under 14). Henning, winner of the African Masters in Egypt last October is one of the brightest prospects in South African tennis, lost only nine games in reaching the final and looks well on course to deliver on his potential. The Henning win assured the host province of two titles.
“Going into the final I knew I had a good chance but towards the end of the first set felt a little bit “tight” which allowed Justin back into the set” said Henning. Henning was up a break and 5-3 when Liebenberg broke back to level the set at 5-5. Henning promptly again back and held serve to win the set. Liebenberg started well in the send set breaking early and taking a 2-0 lead. But then Henning found his grove and went up 4-2 and held on for victory. “It was tough out there and Justin played well. I feel good having being challenged but feel better having prevailed” said Henning.
In the all Free State girls under 14 final, unseeded Delien Kleinhans completed the week of her young tennis career upsetting seven seed Carmen Fichardt 6-3 6-2 in the final. Kleinhans upset two seeded players en route to the final. The win was especially impressive for Kleinhans considering she is playing in her first year and an under 14 player being a year younger than most of her opponents.
Top seeds Kholo Montsi of Gauteng North and Makayla Loubser of Western Province won the boys and girls under 12 titles. Montsi was a comfortable 6-2 6-2 winner over sixth seeded Damien Nezar of Eden whilst Loubser beat second seed Emmare Weatherhead of Gauteng North 6-1 4-6 7-6 (0) in the only three set final played on Monday.
The under 10 titles went to Marshall Hullet of Kwa-Zulu Natal and Naledi Manyube of Eden.
Clark Coetzee, Tennis South Africa Board member who conducted the prize giving said that the high standard of tennis on display in Bloemfontein was a good sign for the future of tennis in the country. “I was impressed with how well the players played this week and how they conducted themselves throughout the tournament. This is good for tennis in our country and judging from the standard of play on offer I am excited and positive about the future of the game for our country.”