Van Niekerk faces fierce battle

RUDI van Niekerk’s bid for a third straight Londt Park Open squash title faces a serious threat against a quality lineup when the tournament proper gets under way at the Stella Londt complex today.

After yesterday’s qualifiers, the men’s A section gets down to business this evening from 5.30pm and Van Niekerk will be looking for a positive start in the defence of his title.

A year ago, he produced one of his most impressive performances to beat KwaZulu-Natal’s Gary Wheadon 3-1 for the title and will again have to contend with the formidable lefthander this week.

As the highest nationally ranked player in the tournament (No 5), Wheadon, who is based in Cape Town, takes the top seed, followed by Van Niekerk (15 in SA) and younger brother Dewald (22 in SA).

Unfortunately, the tournament suffered a slight setback when fourth seed Jason le Roux had to withdraw yesterday following an injury in the Two Oceans ultramarathon at the weekend.

Sean Bailey moves to the No 4 slot, meaning there will be plenty of local interest in the tournament during the week.

Wheadon will be determined to regain the title he won for the first time in 2015 but knows he will have to be at his best to ward off the local challenge.

Barring any upsets, he will meet Bailey in the last four, while the Van Niekerk brothers are on a collision course in the other half.

The odds favour Rudi, but Dewald, who is studying at NWU-Pukke in Potchefstroom, is full of talent and, if all goes according to plan, it should be a fascinating showdown.

In the absence of defending champion Lizelle Muller, top-seeded Jacqui Ryder will be the odds-on favourite for the women’s title.

She will, however, face a strong challenge from second seed Janet Byrnes, while third seed Hayley Ward, who defeated Ryder in the Westview Open, will be keen to make a statement this week.

The tournament ends with the finals on Friday.