Lydenburg local claims two tennis titles
Lydenburg's Karel Jacobs won both the men's singles and doubles at the Mpumalanga Closed Tennis Tournament held at Van Riebeeck Park over the weekend.
Jacobs beat Elliot Skhosana from Ermelo in the men’s 45+ singles in two sets, 6-2 and 6-1. He was also victorious in the round-robin 50+ doubles with Nelspruit Tennis Club’s (NTC) Jacob van Zyl.
The only other Lowveld win of the weekend came from Helene van der Merwe in the ladies’ singles open draw. She was in top form over the weekend, beating rivals Minette Schneider and Gerda Venter.
NTC’s Liz Hancke and Riekie du Preez lost in the finals of the ladies doubles, a mix of all age groups, to younger opponents Gerda Venter and Minette Schneider.
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Rain interfered with play on the final day of the tournament, which meant most of the doubles and mixed-doubles draws could not be completed.
Johann Greyling of Mpumalanga Tennis said despite the disappointing number of entries from the Lowveld, there was some good tennis played over the three-day tournament. Most of the players hailed from other parts of Mpumalanga.
Results for the Mpumalanga Closed were as follows:
Men’s singles open
Lukas Lombard beat Niki Schneider 6-1, 6-4
Men’s singles 45+
Karel Jacobs beat Elliot Skhosana 6-2 6-1
Men’s singles 60+
Kassie van Kasterop beat Jurie Steenkamp 3-6 7-6 7-6
Men’s doubles 50+ (Round Robin)
Winner – Karel Jacobs/ Jacob van Zyl
Ladies’ singles open (Round Robin)
Winner – Helene van der Merwe
Runner-up – Minette Schneider
Ladies’ singles 45+ (Round Robin)
Winner – Zelda Theron
Runner-up – Riekie du Preez
Ladies’ doubles
Gerda Venter/Minette Schneider beat Liz Hnacke/ Riekie du Preez 6-0, 6-0.
