Zoe Kruger, daughter of the late Blue Bulls and Springbok legend, Ruben, made a big breakthrough in her tennis career when she won her first ITF Pro title this past weekend during the Tuks International tournament in Pretoria.

Kruger, a former pupil of the Curro Hazeldean school in the east of Pretoria, is currently stationed in America, where she is trying to take her tennis career to the next level. She took part in the tournament at Tuks as a Wildcard entry, but played brilliant tennis throughout and beat a few seeded players on her way to her title.

In the final the South African rising star stormed back from a set down to beat Dutch fifth seed Suzan Lamens 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 and clinch the title.

“I am extremely happy with my performance and result today, especially since it’s my first professional title,” said Kruger.

It was a stunning performance that showcased the potential that has long been spoken of Kruger in Pretoria, where she has been known as a child prodigy since the age of four.

“I actually had my first tennis lesson on court number 5 at Tuks tennis court, so it’s such an honour to win my first title here as well,” said an overwhelmed Kruger.

Kruger and her sister, Isabella, have been playing in South Africa since last month, where they both also participated in the Jozi Open and the SA Spring Open tournaments in Johannesburg as Wildcard entries, but none of them could advance beyond the quarterfinals of these tournaments.

But last week Zoe was at her best in her hometown during the Tuks tournament. The 19-year-old, who upset French top seed Tessah Andrianjafitrimo in the quarterfinals, made a slow start in the final and dropped the opening set. But she produced an instant response in the second set, winning it 6-4.

“I think I played very well, especially in the second set. I started to find my groove and rhythm, and the new balls helped a lot,” she said after the match.

Kruger did not let up in the third, surging to a 5-1 lead before Lamens fought back to 5-4. Kruger eventually managed to close out the victory 6-4.

“Thanks to my family and friends for coming to support, I really appreciate it so much.  I am really looking forward to the future. I am going to start playing several tournaments overseas,” added Kruger.

She has also recently reached the finals of the W15 Antalya, an ITF $15,000 WTT event in Turkey, where she lost to Cristina Dinu of Romania in the final.

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