Tristan Summers didn’t have it all his way against fifth-ranked Cruz Newton.
However, he was rarely under threat in an entertaining straight-sets victory to clinch the U12 boys’ singles trophy in the American Express Gauteng East Super Eight Series finals on July 3.
Summers endured a tough opening on court four at the Gauteng East Tennis Association (GETA) complex in Lakefield, but he soon found his composure to win in straight sets 6-2, 6-1.
After being 40-0 on the serve in the opening game of the first set, Summers had to dig deep to mount a comeback to take the lead.
Newton won the second game, but it was smooth sailing for Summers after that when he won the next four games to lead 5-1, leaving Newton with no answer. Summers eventually won the set 6-2 inside 33 minutes.
The top-ranked Summers battled through an entertaining second set, which he dominated with good tactical play to win it 6-1 for his fifth tournament victory in a row.
“I was good, considering I played Cruz in another Super Eight final last week. It was a close match. I’m happy I was able to get the win today. Well done to Cruz, he did very well,” Summers said.
On his comeback after the minor setback in the first set, he said, “I just tried to stop making a few silly mistakes. After that, I played smart and focused on my game and being aggressive”.
Newton fought gallantly but knew that toppling the number-one-ranked Summers would be a battle. He acknowledged his errors in the match and explained that he would take the lessons into the next tournament.
“It was a tough final. I made a few silly errors. I played too defensively instead of attacking. I’ve learnt to always fight for every point and finish off the game at the end,” Newton said.
The number-one-ranked Winnie Masemola recovered from a set down to win the U12 girls’ singles cup after beating Liah Rodriguez, who fought back tears after the match, 3-6, 6-1, 6-3.
Masemola battled through an awkward final. After Rodriguez’s dominant start, she had to dig deep to take the second set before claiming the match with a resilient and tactically astute display in the third set.
“When I lost the first set, I calmed down and told myself to fight for every point. So, I’m happy with the win,” said Masemola.
Vladimir Ignjatov beat Kean de Jager 2-6, 6-4, 6-2 for the U14 boys’ title, while Megan van Vuuren claimed a straight-set 6-4, 6-1 victory against Jordan Edwards to win the girls’ section.
Devilliers Lamprecht defeated Nhlakanipho Ngwenya in their marathon U16 boys’ final with a 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 victory. Milla Kotze claimed the girls’ trophy with a 6-4, 6-4 straight-set win against Lilly Haley.
Chè Nel and Shane Furrows won the open women’s and men’s sections. Nel beat Jessica Schiltz 6-4, 6-2, while Furrows beat Michaèl Bell 6-0, 6-1.
Doubles
U12
• Girls: Masemola and Kamogelo Mponwana
• Boys: Summers and Camerock Kock
U14
• Girls: Edwards and Van Vuuren
• Boys: Ignjatov and Anotipa Chigudu
U16
• Girls: Kotze and Lonwabo Majeke
• Boys: Borys Alexander and Lamprecht
Open
• Women: Amike Botha and Carle Botha
• Men: Johannes Adam and Nicholas Reis.
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