Defending champion Christo Potgieter off to winning start
Defending champion Christo Potgieter off to winning start at SA squash nationals
The specially constructed all-glass court at the V&A Waterfront saw the cream of South Africa’s players begin the duel to be crowned national champion, both at a senior level and in the Under-17 category.
The men’s draw went according to plan and Potgieter showed that he is returning to his best form with a 3-0 demolition of Canada-based Tristan Eysele.
The 34-year-old second seed is the oldest player in the men’s field but the thrill of being back in action after a lengthy period of injuries manifested itself in his electric movement around the court.
“I was out for about eight months and have only played two tournaments, but I’m definitely just enjoying it out there,” Potgieter said.
“The hunger is definitely there to try to win it again and I have never won a tournament in Cape Town, so I’m hoping to change that this week.”
His victory set up a rematch of last year’s final when he faces Ruan Olivier of Northerns in Thursday’s semifinals.
Top seed Dewald van Nierkerk rounded off the day’s action by sending hometown hopeful Jacques Duminy out of the tournament and looms as a big threat to Potgieter’s dreams.
However, the 24-year-old Dewald must first get past his older brother Rudi, 33, whom he meets on Thursday. It should be a fascinating showdown between the best players currently in the country.
The women’s championship was more fiercely contested, with top seed and two-time runner-up Lizelle Muller having to use all her experience to quell the challenge of Helena Coetzee.
Read the full story on:iol.co.za (Sports).