Twister wins his Acsa singles match
JOBURG – South Africa's Lucas Sithole, nicknamed 'Twister', was the man to watch as he closed out a three-set victory against world number one David Wagner at the Airports Company South Africa SA Open quad singles final at Ellis Park Tennis Stadium in Johannesburg on 18 April.
Sithole came back to upset the defending champion 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 after recently losing at the Airports Company South Africa Gauteng Open final in Benoni.
Sithole lost to Wagner in two finals at Ellis Park in 2013 and last year, but sent a warning to Wagner when he beat world number three Andy Lapthorne from Great Britain in the semi-final on 17 April.
Sithole rebounded in the second and dominated the third set as Wagner convincingly controlled the first set. He said, “I made a very sloppy start in the first set.”
He broke Wagner’s serve in the opening game of the final set and then held the serve until the ninth game.
Sithole added, “I started playing my own game in the second set and things started to happen. I had a little talk to myself in the toilet break after the second set and then I came out to win the match.”
Airports Company South Africa acting spokesperson Colin Naidoo said, “We are proud to play a major role in bringing two world-class Wheelchair Tennis tournaments to our shores and giving wheelchair tennis players an opportunity to showcase their exceptional talent.”
