Liesl, Bjorn shine in Cuatro semi-finals

Liesl Smith is through to all three finals of the Cuatro 2025 tennis tournament, with a win over Cheryse Wikstrom in the singles, before the two paired up to easily beat Renee Purtell and Deanne Purtell-Massyn in something of a one-sided match that had promised much.

A number of the Tweni regulars and family/friends came to watch, and there was a fantastic atmosphere all round.

One of these was Liesl’s newest granddaughter, 10-month-old Georgia, who was there to watch with her older sister Brooklyn (8) and parents Dylan and Tayla Kroon, visiting from Greytown.

In the mixed, Liesl and Brendan Els beat top seeds Daniel Francesconi and Deanne Purtell-Massyn in a close match played on the Saturday.

Bjorn Wikstrom produced some booming serves and powerful forehand shots to claim victory in two semi-final matches at Umtentweni TC last Sunday.

The tournament is heading towards the sharp end of the draw, and semi-final action did not disappoint, with some superbly entertaining matches produced on another hot day.

In the singles, Bjorn beat seasoned veteran Stef Francesconi in two sets, then teamed up with Brendan Els to see off two more extremely wily campaigners in Richard Short and Martyn Nagtegaal.

A singles final now looms against defending champion Daniel Francesconi, who has only dropped four games in his two matches.

The women’s doubles saw a thriller between Zelda Smook/Sharon van der Schyff and Cathy Kirton/Robyn Olivant, going to the three long-rallied sets in the midday heat.

By the end of it, Zelda (not feeling her best) and Sharon emerged relieved winners.

The semi-finals are almost complete, with a few matches needing to be played to get everything up to date before the finals.

RESULTS
Men’s singles semi-finals:
Daniel Francesconi beat Johan van Niekerk 6-0, 6-2.
Bjorn Wikstrom beat Stef Francesconi 6-1, 7-6.

Women’s singles semi-finals:
Liesl Smith beat Cheryse Wikstrom 6-1, 6-2.
To play: Zelda Smook vs Sharon van der Schyff.

Men’s doubles semi-finals:
Bjorn Wikstrom/Brendan Els beat Richard Short/Martyn Nagtegaal 6-4, 6-2.
To play: Geoff Borchers/Ian Ackerman vs Daniel Francesconi/Stef Francesconi.

Women’s doubles semi-finals:
Liesl Smith/Cheryse Wikstrom beat Renee Purtell/Deanne Purtell-Massyn 6-1, 6-1.
Zelda Smook/Sharon van der Schyff beat Cathy Kirton/Robyn Olivant 4-6, 6-4, 6-3.

Mixed doubles semi-finals:
Brendan Els/Liesl Smith beat Daniel Francesconi/Deanne Purtell-Massyn 6-4, 6-4.
Stef Francesconi/Zelda walkover against Geoff Borchers/Renee Purtell.

Mixed doubles plate semi-finals:
Allan Collocott/Karin Collocott beat Alan Hurlbatt/Pauline Lee 6-4, 6-4.
To play: Colin Barker/Ellene Barbidamos vs David Rush/Robyn Olivant.

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