By Anthony Moruthane.
@PictureCafé.
Johannesburg, South Africa, 21 September 2021 – Men’s top seed Konstantin Kravchuk of Russia suffered a surprise defeat at the hands of South African rising tennis star Alec Beckley, losing 6-4, 4-6, 7-6(3) in the SA Spring Open first round on Tuesday at Ellis Park Tennis Courts in Johannesburg.
Beckley, the wild-card entrant, started the match in fine form with an early break en route to wrapping up the first set. The Russian top seed battled back strongly in the second to push the match into a deciding set.
In the third set, Beckley refused to roll over and forced the match to a tie-break and eventually claim a tight win.
South African teen sensation, Kholo Montsi, also booked his spot in the second round after eliminating Francesco Vilardo of Italy 6-4, 7-5.
In the women’s event, defending champion Chanel Simmonds eased into the second round with a comfortable victory over Japanese third seed Chihiro Muramatsu. Simmonds defeated the Japanese 6-1, 6-0 in 1 hour and 35 minutes.
The tournament, a combined $25 000 ITF World Tennis Tour and wheelchair tennis Grade II tournament is staged in Johannesburg at the Ellis Park Tennis Stadium, with the finals scheduled for September 26.
The wheelchair tennis event will get underway on Wednesday, 22 September 2021.
Results:
Men Singles
Alec Beckley (RSA) bt 1-Konstantin Kravchuk (RUS) 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (3)
6-Mateus Alves (BRA) bt Takuto Niki (JPN) 6-3, 6-4
Khololwam Montsi (RSA) bt Francesco Vilardo (ITA) 6-4, 7-5
Sebastian Prechtel (GER) bt 3-Filip Peliwo (CAN) 6-3, 6-4
5-Rio Noguchi (JPN) bt Ryan Nijboer (NED) 7-6(4), 2-6, 6-3
8-Igor Marcondes (BRA) bt Mehluli Sibanda (ZIM) 6-1, 7-5
Kelsey Stevenson (CAN) bt Dylan Salton (RSA) 4-6, 6-2, 6-1
Women Singles
Tessah Andrianjaftrimo (FRA) bt Naledi Manyube (RSA) 6-0, 6-2
6-Suzan Lamens (NED) bt Hiroko Kuwata (JPN) 6-1, 6-2
Chanel Simmonds (RSA) bt 3-Chihiro Muramatsu (JPN) 6-1, 6-0
8-Joanne Zuger (SUD) bt Sandra Samir (EGY) 6-1, 7-5
Jacqueline Cabaj Awad (SWE) bt Akiko Omae (JPN) 7-6(2), 6-0
Jenny Duerst (SUI) bt Viktoria Morvayova (SVK) 6-3, 5-7, 6-4
Alina Charaeva (RUS) bt Miharu Imanishi (JPN) 6-3, 6-1
5-Amina Anshba (RUS) bt Vlada Koval (RUS) 6-3, 7-5.