Locals outclass top seeded foreigners to shine at SA Spring Open
JOBURG – SA wild-card entrant started the match in fine form with an early break en route to wrapping up the first set.
Men’s top seed Konstantin Kravchuk of Russia suffered a surprise defeat at the hands of South African rising tennis star Alec Beckley in the SA Spring Open on September 21.
Beckley won 6–4, 4–6, 7–6 (3) in the first round of the tournament being played at Ellis Park Tennis Courts in Johannesburg.
Beckley, the wild-card entrant, started the match in fine form with an early break en route to wrapping up the first set. The Russian top seed battled back strongly in the second to push the match into a deciding set.
In the third set, Beckley refused to roll over and forced the match to a tie-break and eventually claimed a tight win.
South African teen sensation, Kholo Montsi, also booked his spot in the second round after eliminating Francesco Vilardo of Italy 6–4, 7–5.
In the women’s event, defending champion Chanel Simmonds eased into the second round with a comfortable victory over Japanese third seed Chihiro Muramatsu. Simmonds defeated the Japanese 6–1, 6–0 in 1 hour and 35 minutes.
The tournament is a combined US$25 000 ITF World Tennis Tour and wheelchair tennis Grade II tournament with the finals scheduled for September 26.
The wheelchair tennis event will get underway today, September 22.
Results Men Singles:
Alec Beckley (RSA) bt Konstantin Kravchuk (RUS) 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (3); Mateus Alves (BRA) bt Takuto Niki (JPN) 6-3, 6-4; Khololwam Montsi (RSA) bt Francesco Vilardo (ITA) 6-4, 7-5; Sebastian Prechtel (GER) bt 3-Filip Peliwo (CAN) 6-3, 6-4; Rio Noguchi (JPN) bt Ryan Nijboer (NED) 7-6(4), 2-6, 6-3(8); Igor Marcondes (BRA) bt Mehluli Sibanda (ZIM) 6-1, 7-5; Kelsey Stevenson (CAN) bt Dylan Salton (RSA) 4-6, 6-2, 6-1.
Women Singles:
Tessah Andrianjaftrimo (FRA) bt Naledi Manyube (RSA) 6-0, 6-26; Suzan Lamens (NED) bt Hiroko Kuwata (JPN) 6-1, 6-2; Chanel Simmonds (RSA) bt Chihiro Muramatsu (JPN) 6-1, 6-08; Joanne Zuger (SUD) bt Sandra Samir (EGY) 6-1, 7-5; Jacqueline Cabaj Awad (SWE) bt Akiko Omae (JPN) 7-6(2), 6-0; Jenny Duerst (SUI) bt Viktoria Morvayova (SVK) 6-3, 5-7, 6-4; Alina Charaeva (RUS) bt Miharu Imanishi (JPN) 6-3, 6-1; Amina Anshba (RUS) bt Vlada Koval (RUS) 6-3, 7-5.
