The city of Polokwane is currently playing host to Wheelchair Tennis South Africa's (WTSA) prestigious Airports Company South Africa Polokwane Open. The tournament runs from 29 June to 3 July 2011 and has attracted a pool of athletes from five countries, including SA to compete across four divisions: men's, women's, quads and juniors.
The game of the day (30 June) was that of South Africa's Desmond Monyamane vs. Austrian Wolfgang Stieg. Monyamane was threatened with the first set going to Stieg 6-2; Monyamane retaliated convincingly to win the second set 6-4. There was no sign of Stieg easing off though, and finally he took the third set 6-2. A disappointed South African crowd was left with a scoreboard of 6-2 4-6 6-2.
Today saw local Polokwane raised Patrick Selepe came head to head with Japan's Masahiro Honmo. The local's gutsy performances saw both sets going to a tiebreaker and players equally giving of their best. Honmo, No. 28 on the international rankings, would not be denied though, and kept the pressure on, aided by Selepe's lack of international exposure he won both tiebreakers to earn the match 7-6 7-6.
In the women's division the four victors of the day were Kgothatso Montjane - another Polokwane local; Rose van der Meer; Mabel Mankgele; and Celia du Toit. No international players were entered into this category.
The quad division will get their competition underway tomorrow.
"We're looking forward to some more good tennis and are excited to be hosting 12 players from Limpopo alongside those from Japan, Austria, Great Britain and the Netherlands. The top players' goals are to fight for a better international standing that will help them on the road to qualify for the 2012 Paralympics. This opportunity comes hot off the heels of SA's first-ever African World Team Cup held in April this year," said tournament director of WTSA, Holger Losch.
National and international tournaments are made possible by WTSA sponsor Airports Company South Africa which has contributed no less than R14-million to the sport since 2005.
The tournament is being held at the Polokwane Tennis Club, in Rissik Street, Polokwane. "The South African players deserve support; join us for some riveting tennis against some of the world's best. Nothing makes for a more exciting day out!
The games start at 9am; finish by 4pm and entrance is free. See you there!" concluded Losch.
