The world’s top-ranked wheelchair tennis stars proved unbeatable as Stephane Houdet, Jiske Griffioen and Dylan Alcott all marched to victory in the SA Open finals at Ellis Park Tennis Stadium in Johannesburg on Saturday, April 9.
Houdet from France won the Super Series event in 2013 and 2014, but compatriot Nicolas Peifer denied the world number one a hat-trick last year.
The Frenchman made a popular return to the winner’s circle when he defeated Peifer in just 47 minutes to claim his third men’s singles title in straight sets 6-3 6-1.
“When I played the SA Open last year, I had only used my new chair for two weeks,” the delighted 45-year-old said.
“I am closer to the end than to the beginning. To be able to compete and to win is something I really cherish. I won the Gauteng Open and the SA Open back-to-back in 2014 and to do it for a second time is really special for me.
“Nicolas put up quite a fight in the first set, but I served really well and I was very accurate with my returns. To be fair, I don’t think he was in the second set mentally. I love coming to South Africa and competing here. Hopefully I can come back and make it a third double next year.”
Griffioen also faced a final round opponent from 2015, but had a tougher time of it to make it two in a row against Sabine Ellerbrock from Germany.
The Dutch world number one took the first set 6-2, but Ellerbrock rallied to take the defending champion to 5-all in the second. Griffioen broke Ellerbrock in the 11th game to go 6-5, but the German world number six just wouldn’t give up.
