Darling of wheelchair tennis takes epic win
Sithole was the coolest customer on centre court as he closed out a three-set victory against Wagner.
WHEN Lucas Sithole pulled through the semi-final win on Friday all wheelchair fans knew that something special will happen in the finals.
The Airports Company South Africa Wheelchair Tennis Open took place from April 14 to 18 at Ellis Park Tennis Stadium and the finals of all the categories were played on Saturday April 18.
In the only one of the finals where a South African made it through was Lucas Sithole, who won the semi-finals on Friday against British world number three Andy Lapthorne in the quad singles. He won the three-set humdinger 3-6 6-3 6-4.
“I think that the title must stay in South Africa,” said Sithole afterwards. His prediction came true when he had the fans on their feet during the finals playing World number 1 David Wagner and first seed of the USA.
Sithole was the coolest customer on centre court as he closed out a three-set victory against Wagner to clinch the quad singles final.
Just a week after losing the Airports Company South Africa Gauteng Open final in Benoni to the American. Sithole, third seed, came back from set down to upset the defending champion 3-6 6-3 6-3. He now sets his sights on the number one world position.
The upsets continued as Frenchman Nicolas Peifer dethroned two-time winner and compatriot Stephane Houdet in the men’s singles title clash 5-7 6-2 6-1, while world number three and first seed Jiske Griffioen from the Netherlands rallied from one set down to defeat Sabine Ellerbrock from Germany 6-7 (5-7) 6-4 6-1 for the women’s singles title.
