Tennis stars Henning and Mariani take top honours at inaugural Curro Centre Court Series

SOUTH Africa’s Philip Henning and Italy’s Matilde Mariane captured the men’s and women’s singles titles at the International Tennis Federation (ITF) Combined M15 and W15 Tournament at Curro Hillcrest Christian Academy on Sunday, June 23.
Curro has collaborated with Tennis South Africa to host three ITF combined men’s and women’s tournaments in the Curro Centre Court Series – the first time since 2021 that men’s and women’s professional tennis has come to South Africa.

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In the men’s draw, it came down to Henning, the number two seed and a South African Davis Cup player, taking on Connor van Schalkwyk, playing under the Namibian flag, in the final.
Van Schalkwyk had enjoyed an outstanding week in reaching the final, considering he was a wildcard entry and had to qualify for his place in the main draw, while Henning showed his experience when it counted.
Van Schalkwyk started the stronger in the opening set, breaking Henning in the sixth game for a 4–2 lead, but then he promptly dropped the next four games to allow Henning to take the set 6–4. At 2–2 in the second set, Henning broke Van Schalkwyk for what proved the vital break as the rest of the set went with serve, Henning winning the match 6/4, 6/4.
“I had no great expectations for the week, and it was a case of giving it my best shot. Connor is a top-ranked junior, and I am happy for him and what he has achieved this week,” said Henning.

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This was the first time these two had met on court in a tournament, and Van Schalkwyk knew he’d let a few opportunities slip. “At 4–2 in the first set and up a break, I started battling with my serves and making basic mistakes. It cost me in the end,” he added.
Mariani, the number five seed, came up against Denmark’s Elena Jamshidi, winning 6/2, 6/3 in a match that had opportunities for both players. Mariani broke twice early in the first set and raced to a 5–0 lead, at which point, Jamshidi took an injury timeout for an injured ankle.

She fought on bravely, winning two consecutive games, but it was not enough as Mariani closed out the first set. The second set saw a string of service breaks as each player looked for an advantage, and it was Mariani who finally edged ahead 5/3 to take the match.
“I was surprised to make the final as I haven’t been playing well leading into this tournament. Some long matches throughout the week took their toll on my ankle, and when I woke up on Sunday, I couldn’t walk. I did not want to retire,” said Jamshidi.
This was Mariani’s first win in a final, and she enjoyed the perfect week, winning the women’s singles and doubles. “This is my first tournament final, and to get a win is special. I have seen Elena at many tournaments, but this is the first time we have played each other. Credit to Elena for how she played with a sore ankle,” she said.

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In the men’s doubles, the number two seeds, Alec Beckley and Alexander Donski, beat the number three seeds, Vasilios Caripi and Jesse Flores, 7/6, 6/4, and in the women’s doubles, the number three seeds, Mariani and Beatrice Stagno, beat the number two seeds, Nagomi Higashitani and Michika, Ozeki 7/5, 4/6, (10/6).
The series continues this week with a combined M25 and W15 competition until June 30, and finally, a combined M15 and W35 event will be held between July 1–7.

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