The South African Tennis Association Blog

your online tennis magazine

RVTA ITF

Posted by wendz on February 8, 2010

Attention all Junior SATA members who are between 13yrs to 18yrs old.

There will be a SATA JNR ITF tournament hosted by RVTA at the North West University in Potchefstroom form the 6th to 12th March 2010. Entries are closing on the 9th Feb 2010 please read below to find out how to enter:

1. In order to enter the tournament you need a valid IPin number. To register for an IPin please visit www.itfjuniors.com <http://mailfire.webafrica.co.za/link/QlJVTj0xNjMyNyZMSUQ9NjY4MDcmU0lEPTQ0OTc2Mw==.aspxand register. Payment for the IPin membership is done online via the credit card facility.
2. If you already have an IPin please make sure that this is valid by renewing on the ITF website and by paying your yearly membership fee.
3. Only online entries will be accepted via the ITF website.
4. The entries are closing on the 9th February 2010.

Please make sure to read the attached Fact Sheets which will give you more information regarding the event.

Potchefstroom ITF 2010 Factsheet

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Feliciano Lifts Second Title

Posted by wendz on February 8, 2010

Photo by Reg Caldecott

JOHANNESBURG

, South Africa – Feliciano Lopez became the first Spaniard to win the SA Tennis Open when he downed Frenchman Stephane Robert 7-5 6-1 at Montecasino yesterday.

At the start of the tournament most people were expecting a Frenchman and a Spaniard to fight out the final and that is exactly what they got. However, it was not the two everybody expected. In Saturday’s semifinals third-seeded Lopez put out No 1 Gael Monfils of France while eighth seed Robert ousted No 2 David Ferrer of Spain.

The first set was pretty tight but left-handed Lopez never faced a break point the entire match while Robert was often struggling to hold. However, when the break came it was somewhat fortuitous for the No 3 seed. With Robert serving in the 12th game, Lopez moved to 0-40 before Frenchman fought back to hold a game point.

But Lopez kept coming back and finally, on his sixth set point, his forehand clipped the top of the net and dribbled over. “You know, I was under pressure all the time,” said Robert. “My only chance was to get to a tie-breaker and hope I could win the set that way. It was unfortunate how the break happened, but that is tennis.”  

Once the first set was behind him Lopez was in full flight while much of the stuffing had gone out of Robert. The Spaniard raced into a 5-0 lead and at that point he already had one hand on the R600 000 winner’s cheque. 

Robert faced his first championships point in the next game but managed to snuff it out with an ace. The second came up a game later when Robert sent a forehand wide and the Spaniard finally won his first tournament since Vienna in 2004 when the Frenchman netted a Lopez volley.

“In the first set I was a little nervous. I had so many break points but I wasn’t taking my chances,” said Lopez.  “Once I took the first set I felt confident and my game started working.”

Lopez now moves on to Rotterdam but will have to play world No 6 Nikolay Davydenko in the first round. “I’m in good shape. We have played before and we’ve had some good matches. He’ll be the favourite and I have nothing to lose.” As it happens, Lopez leads the head-to-head 4-1.

He was also full of praise for the tournament. “We play a number of 250 series events around world and I think this is one of the best. The hotel was good, the organisation was excellent and the courts were great.

“I just hope that a Spaniard winning here is a good omen for our soccer team later this year when the World Cup starts,” quipped Lopez.    

The doubles title went to Rohan Bopanna of India and Aisam-Ul-Haq Qureshi of Pakistan who beat the Slovakian/Israeli duo of Karol Beck and Harel Levy 2-6 6-4 10-5 (champions tiebreaker)

Results of Poll:

We asked you who you thought would win the SA Open and here are the results -

Monfils – 52%; Ferrer – 34%; Lopez – 13%; Other – 24%

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France vs Spain

Posted by wendz on February 6, 2010

Feliciano Lopez - photo by Reg Caldecott

IT’S FRANCE VERSUS SPAIN AT MONTECASINO

Johannesburg, South Africa – The semi-finals of the SA Tennis Open at Montecasino in Johannesburg on Saturday pit France against Spain.

Top seed Gael Monfils of France will face number three Feliciano Lopez of Spain and second-seeded Spaniard David Ferrer will be in a battle of wits with eighth-seeded Frenchman Stephane Robert as this ATP World Tour 250 event enters its final countdown to Sunday’s much-anticipated title match.

Friday’s quarter-finals culminated when flamboyant Frenchman Monfils sliced and diced the game Taiwanese, Yen-Hsun Lu in a 6-1 first set that flashed by in 23 minutes. The 6-4 second set in the prime-time evening slot was a bit more measured, as Lu doesn’t know when to lie down.

World number 13 Monfils produces those special moments that accompany the finest French champagne, leaving you light-headed at his sheer audacity.

The preceding match in the round of eight saw Lopez gradually getting to grips with the high altitude and a determined fifth seed in America’s Rajeev Ram to come out a 7-6 (7/2) 6-3 winner.

“My breathing is getting better, and will hopefully be 100% for the weekend,” Lopez said. “I would love to play David in the final, it will be fun, good for Spanish tennis, so I hope for him to win and me also.”

In the first quarter-final, eighth seed Stephane Robert of France beat the sentimental favourite, Jamaica’s Dustin Brown, 7-6 (5) 6-3 in just under 90 minutes.

“My serve was not that good and it took the first set to find the solution. Dustin plays crazy shots, you don’t know what he is going to do with the ball, so he is very dangerous,” Robert said.

India’s Somdev Devvarman had the unenviable challenge of toppling second seed David Ferrer Friday, but the Spaniard – ranked 18th in the world – was his usual super-smooth self as he glided around the court in characteristic fashion to realise a 6-1 6-3 victory.

David Ferrer - photo by Reg Caldecott

“I am getting more comfortable on court, and my form is coming at the right time,” said Ferrer. “I have never played Robert before, but I know I must play my best game if I am to go on to win the final.”

Ferrer was involved in an epic three-setter against another Frenchman, Jeremy Chardy, in last year’s semi-finals. Chardy, who was a late withdrawal this year, had withstood three match points against the then world number 13 to go on to a 1-6 7-6 (9) 7-6 (4) victory in two-and-a-half hours of frenzied tennis that left Ferrer in an agony of frustration.

This time round Ferrer will be hoping the result goes his way – and with as little fuss and racket damage as possible, although the capacity Saturday crowd at Montecasino can be forgiven a little for wanting more of the same.

Saturday’s first semi-final is between Ferrer and Robert at 2 pm. Then it’s the turn of the 23-year-old who dares you to dream – and the effect is sure to be euphoric, although Lopez most certainly has designs of his own.

Seed killers Rohan Bopanna and Aisam-Ul-Haq Qureshi toppled the number three seeded pair of Eric Butorac and Rajeev Ram 7-6 6-4 to advance to the finals.

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SATA Masters Results

Posted by wendz on February 4, 2010

The results of the SATA Masters for the under 12, 14, 16 and 18 age groups are now displayed on the Tournament Results page.

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Kids take Finalists to Court

Posted by wendz on February 4, 2010

  • Charities hold court on SA Open finals day


Johannesburg, South Africa – The 2010 SA Open singles and doubles finalists will be led on to court on Sunday by children from two Montecasino-supported charities.’

In a grand gesture, the SA Open hosts, the South African Tennis Association, have decided that children chosen from two charity organizations will walk out with the finalists before the start of the matches on finals day.

It has become fashionable at some of the world’s greatest sporting showpieces for children to accompany players on to the field of play before the start of matches.

The two Montecasino-supported charities are the Oasis Haven of Love Foundation and the Walter Sisulu Paediatric Cardiac Centre for Africa.

The Oasis Haven of Love Foundation has as its focus orphaned and abandoned HIV positive children who have a tremendous need for a home where children of all cultures and religions can be cared for in a warm, loving, homely environment.

The organization is also faced with the challenge of an increasing number of babies born with AIDS, in desperate need of loving care and has purchased a home for babies based in Randburg, known as the Oasis Home for Abandoned and AIDS Babies.

The Walter Sisulu Paediatric Cardiac Centre for Africa (WSPCCA) is situated at Netcare’s Sunninghill Hospital, Johannesburg. It is a 16-bed dedicated paediatric cardiac intensive care unit.

Former State President Nelson Mandela said in his address at the opening of the WSPCCA: “The Walter Sisulu Paediatric Cardiac Centre for Africa is an initiative that deserves the support of all of us – private and corporate.”

The children who will grace Sunday’s on-court finals ceremony are Wesley – 5 years, Jamie – 8yrs, Nombulelo – 6yrs (all WSPCCA),  Princess – 10yrs, Christopher – 8yrs and Melo – 6yrs of Oasis.

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Extra Tickets on Sale

Posted by wendz on February 4, 2010

The South African tennis association announced Wednesday 3 February that they would be making 300 extra tickets available for  Thursday, Friday 5 Feb, Saturday 6 Feb and Sunday 7 Feb at the South African tennis open being played at Montecasino.

All three days were sold out and the tournament organizers met with the stadium engineers to increase the stadium to accommodate the extra seating.

The tickets will go on sale from 09h00 on Thursday 4 February at computicket outlets nationwide.

Quote Ian Smith Tournament Director of the SA Tennis Open “On the one hand we are excited about the demand for tickets on the final weekend of the tournament but, on the other hand it is unfortunate that we are unable to provide more seats. We have our level best to accommodate the demand by providing the extra seats for the last three days.”

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SA Open results 3 Feb

Posted by wendz on February 4, 2010

SA TENNIS OPEN – JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA
$ 442,500.00
JANUARY 30 – FEBRUARY 07, 2010

RESULTS – FEBRUARY 03, 2010
Men’s
Singles – Second Round
[3] Feliciano Lopez (ESP) d Blaz Kavcic (SLO) 62 76(4)
[5] Rajeev Ram (USA) d Bjorn Phau (GER) 76(10) 76(2)
[8] Stephane Robert (FRA) d [WC] Izak Van Der Merwe (RSA) 76(7) 61
Dustin Brown (JAM) d Laurent Recouderc (FRA) 64 64

Men’s
Doubles – First Round
Steve Darcis (BEL) / Xavier Malisse (BEL) d [1] Wesley Moodie (RSA) / Kevin Ullyett (ZIM) 76(2) 76(3)
Sanchai Ratiwatana (THA) / Sonchat Ratiwatana (THA) d Laurent Recouderc (FRA) / Stephane Robert (FRA) 62 62
Karol Beck (SVK) / Harel Levy (ISR) d Tomasz Bednarek (POL) / Mateusz Kowalczyk (POL) 57 64 10-7
Rohan Bopanna (IND) / Aisam Qureshi (PAK) d Yves Allegro (SUI) / Marco Chiudinelli (SUI) 46 63 10-5

ORDER OF PLAY – THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 04, 2010
CENTRE COURT start 12:00 noon
S Devvarman (IND) vs T Alves (BRA)
[Q] F Prpic (SWE) vs [2] D Ferrer (ESP)
[WC] R Klaasen (RSA) vs [7] Y Lu (TPE)
[4] J Coetzee (RSA) / R Wassen (NED) vs [WC] R Klaasen (RSA) / I Van Der Merwe (RSA) 64 26 7-7 – To Finish 64 26 7-7

Not Before 7:00 PM
[1] G Monfils (FRA) vs J Ouanna (FRA)
[4] J Coetzee (RSA) / R Wassen (NED) or [WC] R Klaasen (RSA) / I Van Der Merwe (RSA) vs K Beck (SVK) / H Levy (ISR)

COURT 1 start 12:00 noon
P Amritraj (IND) / J Cerretani (USA) vs [3] E Butorac (USA) / R Ram (USA)
R Bopanna (IND) / A Qureshi (PAK) vs [2] J Brunstrom (SWE) / J Rojer (AHO)
S Darcis (BEL) / X Malisse (BEL) vs S Ratiwatana (THA) / S Ratiwatana (THA)

Dustin Brown - photo by Reg Caldecott

Main draw doubles - MDD

Main draw singles - MDS

Order of play Thursday 4 Februar y- OP

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Monfils and Ferrer Spread their wings

Posted by wendz on February 3, 2010

2 February, 2010

Johannesburg, South Africa – If what was seen on the second day of the SA Tennis Open is anything to go by, fans and journalists are going to have a hard time keeping up with adjectives describing the action on court.

Sublime speed, brute power, deadly accuracy and moves that will make an Olympic gymnast proud.

The number one seed here at Montecasino, Gael Monfils, showed why there is such a big fuss about his presence in the draw. The Frenchman made mince meat of veteran Dominik Hrbaty in the first round.

Monfils won 6-2, 6-1 and made it clear that he has his eye on the trophy that was lifted by his countryman, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, last year.

It only took a few points to get the crowd on their feet and with hands in their hair – not out of frustration, but with astonishment. Monfils pulled off moves and shots that some can only dream of.

“I didn’t expect it to be so easy, but I played really well,” said Monfils.

“I feel good and it took only a few shots to find my length in the altitude. The atmosphere was great and the support from the crowd very cool.”

The last match delivered some deft touch and ground strokes just above the radar (so to speak) from second seed David Ferrer.

The Spaniard beat Karol Beck 6-1, 7-5 to book his plays in the second round.

The matched between the third seeded Feliciano Lopez of Spain and qualifier Benjamin Balleret was played in extreme heat, Lopez won 6-1, 6-7 and 6-3.

“It was very tough. It was so hot and I got really tired. After about 45 minutes I struggled to breath. The first match is always the most difficult, but I don’t think it was a bad match for me,” said Lopez.

Davis Cup champion

“I think my game is suited to altitude, but I never played this high before though.” Said the Davis Cup champion.

Earlier in the day Raven Klaasen waved the South African flag with pride when he got the better of Frenchman David Guez. He won in impressive and convincing fashion with the score 6-4, 6-3.

Klaasen’s countryman and doubles partner Izak van der Merwe fought hard for his victory in two tiebreak sets against Noam Okun from Israel. Big serves were a plenty.

That was the only good news for the host country though.

South African qualifier Fritz Wolmarans lost against Germany’s Bjorn Phau.

RESULTS – FEBRUARY 02, 2010

Men’s
Singles – First Round
[1] Gael Monfils (FRA) d Dominic Hrbaty (SVK) 62 61
[2] David Ferrer (ESP) d Karol Beck (SVK) 61 75
[3] Feliciano Lopez (ESP) d [Q] Benjamin Balleret (MON) 61 67(5) 63
Dustin Brown (JAM) d [4] Marco Chiudinelli (SUI) 64 36 64
Somdev Devvarman (IND) d [6] Xavier Malisse (BEL) 64 62
[7] Yen-Hsun Lu (TPE) d Jarkko Nieminen (FIN) 63 62
Josselin Ouanna (FRA) d Harel Levy (ISR) 76(4) 62
[WC] Raven Klaasen (RSA) d David Guez (FRA) 64 63
Bjorn Phau (GER) d [Q] Fritz Wolmarans (RSA) 64 75
[WC] Izak Van Der Merwe (RSA) d [Q] Noan Okun (ISR) 76(5) 76(2)
Thiago Alves (BRA) d Oleksandr Dolgopolov Jr. (UKR) 57 62 63
[Q] Filip Prpic (SWE) d Ivan Navarro (ESP) 63 75

Men’s
Doubles – First Round
[2] Johan Brunstrom (SWE) / Jean-Julien Rojer (AHO) d Rik de Voest (RSA) / Yun-Hsun Lu (TPE) 63 64
[3] Eric Butorac (USA) / Rajeev Ram (USA) d P Marx (GER) / Igor Zelenay (SVK) 76(6) 63
Pakrash Amritraj (IND) / James Cerretani (USA) d [WC] Ruan Roelofse (RSA) / Nikala Scholtz (RSA) 64 61

ORDER OF PLAY – WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 03, 2010
CENTRE COURT start 12:00 noon
B Phau (GER) vs [5] R Ram (USA) – Booth – El Jennati
[8] S Robert (FRA) vs [WC] I Van Der Merwe (RSA)
[1] W Moodie (RSA) / K Ullyett (ZIM) vs S Darcis (BEL) / X Malisse (BEL)

Not Before 7:00 PM
[3] F Lopez (ESP) vs B Kavcic (SLO)
[4] J Coetzee (RSA) / R Wassen (NED) vs [WC] R Klaasen (RSA) / I Van Der Merwe (RSA)

COURT 1 start 12:00 noon
L Recouderc (FRA) vs D Brown (JAM)
R Bopanna (IND) / A Qureshi (PAK) vs Y Allegro (SUI) / M Chiudinelli (SUI)
K Beck (SVK) / H Levy (ISR) vs T Bednarek (POL) / M Kowalczyk (POL)

Not Before 4:00 PM
L Recouderc (FRA) / S Robert (FRA) vs S Ratiwatana (THA) / S Ratiwatana (THA) – Possible Court Change

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SA Open

Posted by wendz on February 2, 2010

Order of  play for Wednesday 03 Feb - OP

Izak van der Merwe beat Noam Okun - photo by Reg Caldecott

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SATA Masters

Posted by wendz on February 2, 2010

The draws and order of play for the SATA Masters under 16 & 18 are displayed on the Draws Page.

Results of the under 12 and 14 will be posted tomorrow.

Posted in Juniors | Tagged: | 3 Comments »

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