The annual Wiphold International, a combined US $15,000 ITF World Tennis Tour event for men and women, which was held over two weeks at the University of Pretoria Tennis Club, came to an end this past weekend.

Four of South Africa’s best players, all of whom have played for the country’s national team in the Davis Cup tournament, were also part of the action. With their participation Alec Beckley, Marc van der Merwe, Thando Longwe-Smit and Connor Doig all not only chased the prize money, but also tried to collect valuable ITF points.

Players from other African countries, as well as countries such as Belgium, Germany, China, Russia, Turkey and Costa Rica were among the participants competing for the prize money of 15,000 US dollars.

Although there were no South African women among the seeded players during the first week, 15 local ladies were in action, including some who received wildcards.

During the men’s singles final of the first week, local favourite Alec Beckley put up a tremendous fight, but top seed Tuncay Duran of Turkey beat him in straight sets 6-3; 6-4.

Earlier, in the semi-finals, Beckley earned a hard-fought 7-5; 6-7(4); 6-4 win over Germany’s Marc Majdandzic, while Duran beat Belgian opponent Romain Faucon 6-4; 4-6; 6-4.

In the women’s final, Lan Mi of China beat Ksenia Smirnova of Russia. The score was 6-4; 4-6; 6-1.

– Week two of the tournament was not a happy week for the South Africans and Marc van der Merwe performed best among the local hopefuls. He did well to reach the quarter-finals before he was eliminated by Duran. Though he put up a fight, the South African player was edged out, with Duran winning 7-6(3); 6-0.

However, Duran lost against all expectations in the final to Jesse Flores of Costa Rica.

In fact, two unseeded players, Flores and Smirnova, stunned their opposition, emerging triumphant in the men’s and women’s singles tournaments in Week 2.

Duran, who secured victory the previous week, battled through an injury and was ultimately defeated 6-4; 6-1.

In the women’s final the Russian teenager Smirnova lifted the trophy after German number four seed Franziska Sziedat retired from the final.

Smirnova, who lost in the women’s final the week before, held a 6-2 lead at the end of the first set when Sziedat opted not to continue with the match.

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