Van Zyl serves up memorable win
RVTA star, Jahnie Van Zyl, bested Flora Johnson from Great Britain in a thrilling final by 6-2, 3-6, 6-4 at the NWU Tennis courts at the Fanie du Toit Sport Grounds.
Local Potch tennis star, Jahnie van Zyl, showed class, resilience and willpower to win the prestigious J100 Potch ITF title on home court on Friday, 8 March.
Van Zyl bested Flora Johnson from Great Britain in a thrilling final by 6-2, 3-6, 6-4 at the NWU Tennis courts at the Fanie du Toit Sport Grounds.
The J100 ITF 2 tournament was the second ITF tournament that took place in Potch in conjunction with the Riaan Venter Tennis Academy (RVTA).
Van Zyl (15), one of the RVTA stars, did her coach Riaan Venter proud with brilliant tennis under pressure to cap off a memorable win against the 16-year old, 8th seed from Great Britain.
What made this victory impressive was the shot selection from Van Zyl, who on numerous times frustrated her higher ranked opponent. Van Zyl was ranked at 332 in the world, whilst Johnson was ranked 228th as of 11 March 2024.
Van Zyl, a grade-9 learner at Potchefstroom Gimnasium, was particularly good at serve returns and made sure that Johnson fought for every point. It was breathless display from Van Zyl who gave everything even after dropping the second set.
It could have been a momentum changer, but Van Zyl kept her nerve in the deciding third set to walk away with a much-deserved title.
Other success stories for the Riaan Venter Tennis Academy include a boys doubles win for first seeded, Reuben de Klerk and Leo Matthysen who beat Jordan Georgiev and Mark Nawa 6-3, 6-2.
