Swakop Open produces upsets
Undisputed champs, Overall Winners Group Photo (f.l.t.r): Heiko Fleidl, Derrick Rooza, Jesse Joseph, Reese Saunderson, Kaitlyn Beukes, Darren Strauss, Theo Beukes, Wayne Green, Rudi Saunderson, Conwin van Wyk, Ronaldo Vogel, Dietrich Mowes and Ramon Hansen
Many juniors travelled to the coast to stake their claim for a trophy and to catch the eyes of selectors for inclusion in development groups.
In the under 18 boys Ronaldo Vogel provided an early upset when he beat 2nd seed Dietrich Möwes in a very tough five-set match.
Vogel went through as winner in his group and later eliminated fellow Rehoboth High School team-mate, Conwin van Wyk to book a place in the final. Local and reigning number one seed, Darren Strauss proceeded through the play-offs with ease.
In the final against Ronaldo Vogel went on to clinch the under 18 singles title with a dominant 3-0 win while the bronze medals were won by Dietrich Möwes and Conwin van Wyk.
The under 18 girls proceeded as expected with top-seeded Kaitlyn Beukes and Reese Saunderson winning their groups and semi-finals to face each other in the final.The final set lived up to expectations and the two young girls had the crowd on their, but Reese eventually just edged Kaitlyn for a narrow win.
Kaitlin Beukes and Darren Strauss then joined forces to battle Reese Saunderson and Dietrich Möwes in the final of the under 18 mixed doubles with Kaitlin/Darren emerging as victors closely followed by Jesse Joseph and Ronaldo Vogel who claiming the bronze medal. The senior men also added their share of excitement and upsets. Veteran Theo Beukes, ranked 14th, arrived at the event with a mission. During the play-offs he ended top of arguably the strongest group where he unexpectedly beat No.1 Heiko Fleidl and also ended any aspirations of Rudi Saunderson and Roger Beukes.
Beukes continued and eliminated Reinolt Schurz in the quarter final and in one of the semi-finals he produced one of the biggest shocks of the event when he eliminated one of the tournament favourites, Ramon Hansen.
Another surprise came from local player, Derick Rooza (16th ranked) who beat big names Ashley Julius (ranked No 2) and Reinardt Stanley during the play-off matches.
His good spell came to an end in the semi-final against Heiko Fleidl, who booked his pot in the final against Theo Beukes.
Having lost earlier against Theo Beukes, Fleidl redeemed his self and emerged victourios after an epic match.
Ramon Hansen and Rudi Saunderson teamed up for the men’s doubles and continued their unbeaten run for 2014 by eliminating the no.1 pair of Fleidl and Schurz in the semi-final before clinching the title while Theo Beukes and Wayne Greene claimed the bronze medal.
The next tournament is the SKW Open scheduled to take place on 20 September at the SKW in Windhoek.
