The Hammanskraal Tennis Club players participated at the Gauteng North Open 2021 tennis tournament held at Groenkloof Tennis courts played over 3 days, 20,21 and 22 March 2021.
Chairperson of the Hammanskraal Tennis Club, Mr Simon Tlhatlha said the under 16 years old players competed under the men’s and women’s section.
“Mpho Phungwayo performed exceptionally well, finishing at position three of the men’s Bronze section having eliminated, with ease, number 1 seed Faheem Paruk 6-1: 6-2 in the first round. He lost in a nail-biting semi-finals contest narrowly losing a spot in the finals to James Makaranga 6-1:4-6:10-5” he said.
The other players under the men’s section were Tshepang Tlhatlha position 15,
Eric Matjiane position 11 and Reorapetse Mangwane position 13 respectively in their sections.
Mr Tlhatlha said although Lesedi Maluleke being under 18 competed under Woman’s section playing against senior players and performed outstandingly well., winning 3 of 4 matches only losing against seed no 4 Erin Jacob’s in the main draw. She finished position 5 after winning her first and second-round matches. She went on and recorded a sweet victory against Mogale Chwayita of Soshanguve 5-7:6-4:10-5.
Ofentse Mphahlele finished position 12, Gold section whilst Presencia Ndhlovu finished 12, Silver section.
“Our Boys under 14 and in particular Tshepang Maisela and Oratile Ngobeni shined finishing position 5 respectively in their Platinum and Gold section respectively.
Tshepang Maisela recording memorable victories against seasoned players. He staged a comeback and recorded a memorable victory against Neil Erasmus 4:6:7-6: 10-8. After having narrowly lost in the quarter-finals to seed no 2 Stefano Rousseau 6-4; 4-6; 5-10” he said.
Oratile Ngobeni finished position 5 after been eliminated from the main draw. He went on to defeat Mahlohonolo Mohlala and Jayden Myers 6-7; 6-4: 10-4 and 6-4:6-1 respectively.
Tshepiso Mooka and Tiisetso Mmekwa participated under Boys under 14 bronze and blue categories Tiisetso Mmekwa finished position 3. He lost in the semis and won position playoffs to finish number 3
Mogomotsi Sekgobela and partner Boipelo Lekgwabe finished as runners-up in girls under 14 doubles.
Mr Tlhatlha said their upcoming youngster Itumeleng Moses finished position 14 under Boys under 12.
Our girls Ofentse Mpahlele and Lesedi Maluleke partnered in the doubles and finished as runner-ups in the women’s doubles gold section.
“It was not easy preparing for this event as our courts were not accessible due to the fixing of the fence on our courts. Players had to do fitness and mental training for this event, the club managed to get access to the Groenkloof courts on Wednesday and Thursday to give these players a bit of court time before the start of the tournament,” he said.
Mr Tlhatlha said nevertheless the kids performed exceptionally well during the tournament and some managed to improve their technic and technical aspects of their games which resulted in them causing more upsets to top-ranked players.
“As a club, we are happy about their performance and we will be getting ready for our next tournaments this coming weekend,” he said.
