Wheelchair tennis star nets second quads title
SOUTH African wheelchair tennis champion and World No 4, Lucas Sithole, battled back from a set and 4-1 down to defeat World No 3, Brit Andy Lapthorne, to secure his second British Open quads singles title in Nottingham, England.
The fourth-seeded South African was the first African wheelchair tennis player to have clinched the title, in 2013, and went to Britain to reclaim it. Lapthorne led Sithole by a set and 4-1 before Sithole fought back, winning 1-6 7-5 6-4, to regain the British Open title.
Sithole, 28, looked way short of form, but found an extra gear when he claimed the only break in the second set, with his British opponent putting a forehand into the net. The star kept his composure to wrap up the victory in three hours on Saturday.
Sithole dispatched Lapthorne in the semi-final of the Airports Company South Africa SA Open this year, before he demolished David Wagner for his first Super Series title of the year.
Sithole said: “The wind was really disturbing in the first set, but then I knew what I had to do in the second set. I just changed tactics and moved in to take time away from my opponent.
“Despite losing the first set, I had confidence that I could win because the way I have played all week was fantastic. This week I played my best tennis ever. The guys pushed me to play at my highest limit.
“I am so excited and words cannot express my joy for this great win. I defeated Lapthorne in three sets at home in April this year, and I knew it wasn’t going to be an easy battle, but I told myself I will fight to the end.
“All thanks to the game sponsor Airports Company South Africa for the opportunity to take part in this top-flight Super Series event, my coach Holger Losch, family, friends and everyone who wished me well.”
Sithole eliminated former world number one David Wagner in the semi-final round on Friday with 7-5 6-1, to advance to the finals.
In the men’s division, the country’s top ranked player Evans Maripa exited in the first round. Maripa was knocked out by Netherlands’ Tom Egberink 6-4 5-7 3-6, but went on to win the consolation singles event.
Meanwhile, eighth- seeded Mzansi’s Kgothatso Montjane was bundled out in the women’s quarter-final by third seed Aniek van Koot, also from the Netherlands 6-2 6-2. Montjane and doubles partner Sabine Ellerbrock, of Germany, were runner-ups in the women’s doubles after they went down 3-6 0-6 against second seeds Aniek van Koot and Jiske Griffieon in the final on Sunday.
Evans Maripa and KG Montjane will now move on to Geneva, Switzerland for the ITF 1 tournament, the Swiss Open from today until Sunday. – ANA