Round three of the Ugu Cuatro tennis tournament saw some ding-dong battles on a sweltering hot day on March 15.
The start was delayed due to some rain, but things soon got going at host venue for the day, Umtentweni Tennis Club.
There were two gripping singles encounters, where Martyn Nagtegaal saw off a gutsy comeback by Brendan Els.
Sharon van der Schyff showed that experience can still triumph youth in a thrilling match against teenager Katie Weller.
There were a few matches played on other days.
There was some one-sided doubles action in the men’s and ladies, but a cracker of a mixed between the Wikstroms (Bjorn and Cheryse) in their narrow win over Richard Short and Sharon van der Schyff.
A few days later Bjorn unfortunately had to retire in his singles game against veteran Stef Francesconi, with an ankle issue. Hopefully it is not too serious and he can continue in the doubles and mixed, where there is a little less running required.
RESULTS
Men’s singles:
Martyn Nagtegaal beat Brendan Els 6-0, 6-7, 6-4.
Stef Francesconi beat Bjorn Wikstrom 6-4, 3-2 retired.
Mick Taute vs Hriday Kambaran 6-1, 6-2. Daniel Francesconi beat Raj Nagannna 6-1, 6-2.
Ladies singles:
Sharon van der Schyff beat Katie Weller 6-2, 4-6, 6-4.
Men’s doubles:
Richard Short/Martyn Nagtegaal beat Carlo Garbini/Everett Duarte 6-1, 6-1.
Ian Ackerman/Mick Taute beat Raj Naganna/David Rush 6-3, 6-0.
Ladies doubles:
Zelda Smook/Cathy Kirton beat Katie Weller/Jenny Senneck 6-2, 6-1.
Mixed doubles:
Bjorn Wikstrom/Cheryse Wikstrom beat Richard Short/Sharon van der Schyff 6-0, 6-7, 10-6.
Martyn Nagtegaal/Zelda Smook beat Charl van Niekerk/Natasha Cotterell 6-3, 7-6.
Mixed plate:
Bernat Kruger/Claire Laine beat Guy Spittal/Gill Spittal 6-1, 1-6, 10-6.
