Top field gunning for Tswalu SA Squash doubles titles
Tournament organiser and Squash SA National Manager Jennifer Sawyer said they were delighted with the response from the players countrywide.
A formidable array of champions litter the entry lists, but the growing popularity of competitive doubles squash means the Tswalu SA National Doubles Championships could be the most wide-open event yet.
The tournament will take place at the Country Club Johannesburg courts in Auckland Park from February 24 to 26, and will see the cream of South Africa’s players gunning for the women’s, men’s and mixed titles.
The incentive of potentially earning a chance to represent South Africa at the World Doubles Championships next year has seen the entries soar for the three-day tournament.
Tournament organiser and Squash SA National Manager Jennifer Sawyer said they were delighted with the response from the players countrywide.
“It’s encouraging to see even our rising young stars, such as 16-year-old Luhann Groenewald, becoming involved in a national event of this stature,” she said.
It is players like the Pretoria teenager, among many others, who will be hoping to dethrone the defending champions as the excitement builds for the cracking pace of doubles squash.
But standing in the way of these young pretenders will be the elder statesmen of SA squash in Christo Potgieter (35) and JP Brits (31), who will be aiming for a hat-trick of men’s titles.
The women’s champions from 2022 have split up for this year, with Lizelle Muller partnering Gqeberha colleague Hayley Ward, who won the title in 2021, and Cheyna Wood teaming up with the formidable figure of Alex Fuller, ranked 25 in the world.
The mixed event will see Potgieter and Wood eyeing another title, but they will face serious competition from Brits and Fuller, who warmed up for the Nationals with a dominant display to win the mixed section in the 20th edition of the St Francis Bay Invitational in the Eastern Cape town at the weekend.
Brits is excited about the prospects which lie ahead as he discussed the state of the doubles game in SA squash.
“South African squash is very healthy in terms of the doubles game, because we have developed an expansive and creative style of play,” Brits said.
“When we play in the Worlds, you can definitely see a different approach to the other countries, who tend to be a bit more conservative.
“I firmly believe it’s something we can use to boost our squash because we can have an impact at an international level.”
He is also relishing the chance of partnering a lifelong teammate in Potgieter.
“Christo and I have known each for many years,” he said. “We have trained together and toured together – at one stage I saw him more than I saw my wife!
“So we know each other inside out and I feel we are like one brain on the court – we know exactly what the other one is doing.
“Also our types of games suit each other – he is so expansive and creative, and his anticipation of the angles on the doubles court is amazing, while I try to enhance that by keeping up the pressure and creating those winning opportunities.”
He realised there would be serious competition from their rivals, given the opportunity to attend the Worlds.
“But we are ready for that and looking forward to the challenge.”
He is also looking forward to playing again with Fuller.
“We played in the Worlds last year and there were a few cracks where we didn’t really gel, but we played now in St Francis and are starting to understand each other,” Brits said.
“She is a phenomenal player and it will be great for our ladies to get on the court with her to see how she hunts the ball, stepping up and always attacking the ball.
“I have never won the SA mixed title so would love to do that, but I know there are other teams out there with the same thoughts.”
Muller and Ward will have Fuller and Wood blocking their way to the title but are relaxed about their approach to the event.
“We haven’t played together before but we will have a chat and work it out,” Muller said.
“There will be very strong competition but the one thing about doubles is that if you get your combination and teamwork right you can be very effective, even if you are slightly lower ranked.”
With both players capable of working hard, Ward said Muller would probably adopt a more attacking role.
“I may play a bit safer, but if the shot is on then you have to go for it,” she said.
