Youngsters excel at NWU/RVTA ITF 1

Potchefstroom, South Africa – South Africa’s Thando Longwe-Smit and Mieke Van Deventer were crowned champions of the NWU/RVTA Junior ITF 1 held at the Riaan Venter Tennis Academy (RVTA) in Potchefstroom from 18-23 February.

The 17-year-old Capetonian Thando Longwe-Smit, seeded 5^th, sent top seed and compatriot Robbie Arends packing with a 6-3 6-4 victory to secure the boys title on Saturday – his first ITF Junior Title.

This is a huge milestone for Longwe-Smit who lost to Frenchman Axel Garcian in the round of 64 in the same event last year.

“Since last year this time till now I have been focusing on learning and growing as a tennis player. Losing first round last year taught me a lot about where I need to take my game to be competitive at the next level,” said Longwe-Smit.

“This is definitely my biggest win and the feeling I had winning that match will always stay with me.

“It is now important for me to stick to my game plan for the next tournament, and to keep on looking to better my game,  stay focused and take each match at the time,” added Longwe-Smit.

In the girls’ event, eighth-seeded Mieke Van Deventer from Johannesburg battled past countrygirl Kelly Arends 4-6 6-3 6-1 in a well contested final to lift the girls’ singles title. The 16-year-old survived a tight three set match against Eva Elbaz from France 6-7(5) 7-6(4) 7-5 in the last four stage enroute to the final.

Van Deventer lost in the qualifying round in last year’s event.

In the boys’ doubles, Damien Nezar and Carl Roothman defeated top seeds Robbie Arends and partner Dylan Salton 6-3 2-6 [10-4] while in the girls’ section, it was a one-sided affair as Maretha Burger and Christine Kruger dominated against Christine Gouws and Jessica Portwig, edging out the pair 6-3 6-4.

The junior event saw international and local junior tennis players serve up quality tennis and those who did not do well will be hoping to turn the tables in the second tournament being played at the Riaan Venter Tennis Academy on the Fanie du Toit Sports Grounds from 25 February to 2 March.

Both tournaments form part of the International Tennis Federation’s Junior Circuit with junior tennis players from 10 countries participating.

Final Results

RSA unless stated

B U18

Singles

5-Thando Longwe-Smit bt 1-Robbie Arends 6-3 6-4

Doubles

5-Damien Nezar / Carl Roothman bt 1-Robbie Arends / Dylan Salton 6-3 2-6 [10-4]

 Girls u.18

Singles

8-Mieke Van Deventer bt 5-Kelly Arends 4-6 6-3 6-1

Doubles

2-Maretha Burger / Christine Kruger bt 6-Christine Gouws / Jessica Portwig 6-3 6-4