Changing of the guard at Southbroom tennis champs
The general consensus was that the standard of tennis across the board had improved considerably.
The old order changeth, yielding place to new, with several new faces at the Southbroom Tennis Club elevating its annual championships to a new high level.
Top amongst them were undoubtedly father and son, Stef and Jonathan Francesconi.
Not only did they triumph in the men’s doubles, defeating Sven Wagner and Brendan Els 7-5, 6-3, they also faced off against one another in the men’s singles in a tightly contested three-set thriller, ultimately with youth triumphing over experience, with Jonathan winning 6-7, 7-5, 7-6.
The women’s singles winner was newcomer Sue Pearson, who beat Renee Purtell 6-3, 6-4.
In the mixed doubles, club stalwarts Renee and Christian Kruger defeated Annamarie Wege and Richard Short 7-5, 6-3.
Mother and daughter Renee and Deanne Purtell beat Annamarie and Dunja Gudegast 5-7, 6-4, 7-6 in the the ladies’ doubles.
There was a record entry of 45 players, and the games were well attended, even in some icy, windy weather.
The general consensus was that the standard of tennis across the board had improved considerably.
Club chairman Deanne Purtell commended all the players for the spirit in the which the tournament was played and the club members for the good turnout.
She was also full of praise for Christian, club captain and tournament convener, as well as the sponsors who she said went above and beyond this year.
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