His 7-5 6-3 victory in Saturday’s final of the SAA National Championships at the Wanderers Tennis Club has earned Izak Van der Merwe a wild card into the South Africa Open to be played at Westridge Park in Durban from 22 January. Top seed Van der Merwe defeated second seed Pieter Calitz to capture the men’s title while number one Lizaan du Plessis took the women’s event when Bronwyn Davidson had to retire in the third set. Du Plessis was leading 0-6 6-3 4-1 when Davidson could no longer continue due to a persistent groin injury.
Van der Merwe was delighted to win a spot in the main draw of the SA Open, a wild card well earned according to SA Tennis Association chief executive Ian Smith, for making the journey all the way fro the US to play in this event.
“I was playing a lot of tournaments there but when I was told about the SA National Championships, I changed my flight to come back here a little earlier so I could play in it,” explained the 22-year-old Van der Merwe. “I was a nice surprise and it will give me an opportunity to take on some really good players. I’m going to take some time off now but then I’m going to train hard so hopefully I will be in good form by then.”
Van der Merwe has spent four years in the US completing a business finance degree at Old Dominion College in Norfolk, Virginia. He had lost to Calitz in their only meeting last year but now felt he had garnered more experience on the tour. There were a plethora of breaks in both sets as Van der Merwe continued to struggle with his serve at altitude, a problem that had been plaguing him all week. “The key was that I returned well and that helped me win this match,” said the top seed.
He finally got a 6-5 lead in the opening set and then broke Calitz to take the set. Once again the pair exchanged a number of breaks but at 5-3, Van der Merwe had the opportunity to serve for the match. He found himself facing two break points at 15-40 but then his booming serve kicked into gear and a helpless Calitz could not withstand the barrage that followed.
In the women’s final Du Plessis said she felt it was a case of deja vu when she lost the opening set 6-0 because at last week’s Senior Interprovincial she lost to Davidson without winning one game. “I had taken a three-month break before that and me game is not yet fine tuned. I was giving her too many free points so in the second set I decided to just roll the ball in and get some rhythm.”
The tactic worked and the top seed slowly began to work herself back and levelled the match. By the third set though Davidson’s injury, which had started last week at interpro and got worse from Tuesday this week, began to flare up badly and eventually she had no option but to withdraw. She has been instructed to stay off the court for the next two weeks at least to recuperate. “I would have liked to win the tournament but with the groin injury, I’m just so happy to have made it to the final,” said the 16-year-old Davidson
Saturday, December 02, 2006
TOP SEEDS INTO SAA SA NATIONALS FINALS
Both the men and women’s top seeds safely navigated their semifinal matches and have move into their respective finals at SAA National Championships played at the Wanderers Tennis Club on Friday.
Izak van der Merwe easily accounted for fourth seed Heinrich Heyl 6-4 6-2 in the men’s draw while his opposite number in the women’s competition, Lizaan du Plessis, put out Megan Sporndli of Gauteng East 6-2 6-3.
Van der Merwe will take on second seed Pieter Calitz, who defeated third seed Benjamin Janse van Rensburg 6-2 6-3, in Saturday’s final.
Du Plessis though will take on unseeded 16-year-old Bronwyn ‘Bonny’ Davidson, who stopped second seed Kim Rudman 6-3 7-5.
It is not a match the top seed will be relishing, however, as Davidson gave her a 6-0 6-0 hiding last week at the Senior Interprovincial tournament.
"Bonny is a great player,” said Du Plessis. “She has got so much experience playing on the ITF junior circuit. It’s not going to be a easy match but I will give it my best shot to get my revenge.”
Davidson took an hour and 41 minutes to stop Rudman but said she felt she had a psycholgical edge over the number two seed as the pair had been seeded one and two at last week’s interpro, but it had been Davidson who had been given the top seed over Rudman at that event.
“I felt I had gave me the mental advantage over Kim. We both know each others games well as we practice a lot together.”
Davidson was obviously excited to be in Saturday’s final but says she is focussing on the ITF Junior Circuit in order to gain experience as well as variety in her game. “At home we tend to play the same people week in and week out and in my opinion, if we want to do well internationally, we have to expose ourselves to the international junior circuit.”
In the men’s final Calitz could also have the psychological edge over Van der Merwe although the top seed is determined to avenge last year’s narrow defeat. “A year ago I lost in a Futures final to Pieter 6-4 in the decider. I had my chances to win that match but Pieter took it. Now it’s my chance to gain revenge,” said Van der Merwe.
The doubles semifinals had barely started when the rain came down and as a result, they will take place now on Saturday.
Final play on Saturday starts at 09h30
Izak van der Merwe easily accounted for fourth seed Heinrich Heyl 6-4 6-2 in the men’s draw while his opposite number in the women’s competition, Lizaan du Plessis, put out Megan Sporndli of Gauteng East 6-2 6-3.
Van der Merwe will take on second seed Pieter Calitz, who defeated third seed Benjamin Janse van Rensburg 6-2 6-3, in Saturday’s final.
Du Plessis though will take on unseeded 16-year-old Bronwyn ‘Bonny’ Davidson, who stopped second seed Kim Rudman 6-3 7-5.
It is not a match the top seed will be relishing, however, as Davidson gave her a 6-0 6-0 hiding last week at the Senior Interprovincial tournament.
"Bonny is a great player,” said Du Plessis. “She has got so much experience playing on the ITF junior circuit. It’s not going to be a easy match but I will give it my best shot to get my revenge.”
Davidson took an hour and 41 minutes to stop Rudman but said she felt she had a psycholgical edge over the number two seed as the pair had been seeded one and two at last week’s interpro, but it had been Davidson who had been given the top seed over Rudman at that event.
“I felt I had gave me the mental advantage over Kim. We both know each others games well as we practice a lot together.”
Davidson was obviously excited to be in Saturday’s final but says she is focussing on the ITF Junior Circuit in order to gain experience as well as variety in her game. “At home we tend to play the same people week in and week out and in my opinion, if we want to do well internationally, we have to expose ourselves to the international junior circuit.”
In the men’s final Calitz could also have the psychological edge over Van der Merwe although the top seed is determined to avenge last year’s narrow defeat. “A year ago I lost in a Futures final to Pieter 6-4 in the decider. I had my chances to win that match but Pieter took it. Now it’s my chance to gain revenge,” said Van der Merwe.
The doubles semifinals had barely started when the rain came down and as a result, they will take place now on Saturday.
Final play on Saturday starts at 09h30
1ST Day of the Weekend at the Nedbank Golf Challenge
There are some places in Sun City that are just fun. Not the fun that you know while driving an Uno or a Citi Golf, but the fun that comes from being given free reign to drive the new Ferrari. Someone else's Ferarri at that. You get behind the wheel and are told that there is no issue with speed, control or damage. That is the feeling of a Sun City party over the Nedbank Golf Challenge.
Now there are two types of people that will partake in this kind of fun. There are those that show a little restraint. Those that know what that Ferarri can do and will push the limits but value their life and the property of someone else. They go fast but just fast enough. They take the turns but always with just a little hint of oversteer, nothing too bad.
BUT THEN, there are those that should NEVER be allowed to drive that Ferarri ever again. Those that do four-wheel drifts through chicanes fit for a go-cart. Wheel spin into 3rd gear and test the full functions of the ABS, ESP and any other 3 letter thing that the car maker could think of.
These people should NEVER be given a Ferarri again, but they keep on coming back. The excess that is Sun City love these people.
Back to the real world, last night was Media Party and all went well. The people here, who look after us, gave uss each a carpet putter set, which was very kind. We also got pirate hats, an eye patch and a hook. I will leave it to your imagination how those three different things were put to use.
Afterwards, a few of us went up to the Casino Bar in the main hotel. If you have been to Sun City in its heyday, you will know it as Harlequins. Great vibe and more money being gambled than I have seen for most of my life. The Nedbank Challenge weekend brings out the real high-rollers. R100 a hand, minimum on the lowest tables at the casino. On BLACKJACK!!!!! I didn't even look at the roulette tables, that just doesn't make sense
Back to the golf....
Jim Furyk is still favourite to win the Nedbank Golf Challenge 2006. At 6/10 this morning, someone is going to have to catch the American who is looking in fine form . He shouldn't come back to the field. Charl Schwartzel, who is just off the pace is still at 22/1, so it's worth a couple of Bob.
Colin Montgomery and Chris DiMarco get the day off to a high scoring start. Once again, Charl is playing with Ernie Els in the 2nd last 2ball and Henrick Stenson and Jim Furyk finish off the day.
Now there are two types of people that will partake in this kind of fun. There are those that show a little restraint. Those that know what that Ferarri can do and will push the limits but value their life and the property of someone else. They go fast but just fast enough. They take the turns but always with just a little hint of oversteer, nothing too bad.
BUT THEN, there are those that should NEVER be allowed to drive that Ferarri ever again. Those that do four-wheel drifts through chicanes fit for a go-cart. Wheel spin into 3rd gear and test the full functions of the ABS, ESP and any other 3 letter thing that the car maker could think of.
These people should NEVER be given a Ferarri again, but they keep on coming back. The excess that is Sun City love these people.
Back to the real world, last night was Media Party and all went well. The people here, who look after us, gave uss each a carpet putter set, which was very kind. We also got pirate hats, an eye patch and a hook. I will leave it to your imagination how those three different things were put to use.
Afterwards, a few of us went up to the Casino Bar in the main hotel. If you have been to Sun City in its heyday, you will know it as Harlequins. Great vibe and more money being gambled than I have seen for most of my life. The Nedbank Challenge weekend brings out the real high-rollers. R100 a hand, minimum on the lowest tables at the casino. On BLACKJACK!!!!! I didn't even look at the roulette tables, that just doesn't make sense
Back to the golf....
Jim Furyk is still favourite to win the Nedbank Golf Challenge 2006. At 6/10 this morning, someone is going to have to catch the American who is looking in fine form . He shouldn't come back to the field. Charl Schwartzel, who is just off the pace is still at 22/1, so it's worth a couple of Bob.
Colin Montgomery and Chris DiMarco get the day off to a high scoring start. Once again, Charl is playing with Ernie Els in the 2nd last 2ball and Henrick Stenson and Jim Furyk finish off the day.
Friday, December 01, 2006
The Rain in Sun City falls mainly on the golf course
I have kept on going on about the City of the Sun but the more you talk about things, the more things will not be like that. It's like talking up a great batsman and he gets knocked off for a 1st ball duck. The rain gods have shown their anger and cooled the day down but it does mean that play has stopped on day 2 of the Nedbank Golf Challenge. Things were just starting to get interesting here with Jim Furyk running away with the tournament. The balding American is 3 strokes clear of his nearest rivals, that of Henrick Stenson and South African favourite (at least my favourite) Charl Schwartzel. They are both on 6 under par.
The Goose is just a stroke further back with Padraig Harrington, Trevor Immelman and Ernie Els also on 5 under par.
I wonder what the players get up to during a rain break. It must be quite disconcerting to keep on wondering if you will or if you won't get to go out again. Golfers talk about rythym, working the course and getting a feel of the rub of the green but now everything will change. The rythym will have to restart, the greens will be slower and the fairways will not run as far. I realise that the men on the links are in the top 20 in the world, but it must not be one of the best times.
Can they have a beer? Do they eat? I really should ask.
Tonight's party is the famous Media Dinner. The theme is "Pirates of the Caribbean". I am not sure how much of it I will remember but I am sure that "his great benevolence" will help me out. He is a little of a girl. Actually he won't because he is bailing in favour of his family tomnight. Ha ha ha.
The Goose is just a stroke further back with Padraig Harrington, Trevor Immelman and Ernie Els also on 5 under par.
I wonder what the players get up to during a rain break. It must be quite disconcerting to keep on wondering if you will or if you won't get to go out again. Golfers talk about rythym, working the course and getting a feel of the rub of the green but now everything will change. The rythym will have to restart, the greens will be slower and the fairways will not run as far. I realise that the men on the links are in the top 20 in the world, but it must not be one of the best times.
Can they have a beer? Do they eat? I really should ask.
Tonight's party is the famous Media Dinner. The theme is "Pirates of the Caribbean". I am not sure how much of it I will remember but I am sure that "his great benevolence" will help me out. He is a little of a girl. Actually he won't because he is bailing in favour of his family tomnight. Ha ha ha.
Lunch on Day 2
Sounds like a cricket update but it isn't. Lunch on day 2 of the Nedbank Golf Challenge was a quiet affair. After a large breakfast, I didn't need lunch, so I had a little salad. Why is it that I am talking about food and booze at a golf event? To be honest with you, that tends to be what we focus on as the media.
Sure there are the guys who take it really seriously, but why kill yourself?
The golf is hot and it seems to be hotter on the course today than it was yesterday, amazing to think, but it is. My boy, Jim Furyk leads by one sstroke over Henrick Stenson, who isn't looking good. My other boy, Charl Schwartzel is only 3 back. Watch these two.
Ernie just birdied the 16 to go 3 back as well. This is turning out to be a great Nedbank Golf Challenge.
Sure there are the guys who take it really seriously, but why kill yourself?
The golf is hot and it seems to be hotter on the course today than it was yesterday, amazing to think, but it is. My boy, Jim Furyk leads by one sstroke over Henrick Stenson, who isn't looking good. My other boy, Charl Schwartzel is only 3 back. Watch these two.
Ernie just birdied the 16 to go 3 back as well. This is turning out to be a great Nedbank Golf Challenge.
1st Pictures are up
The 1st pictures from the Nedbank Golf Challenge are up. Pictures of girls and a couple of other things as well. As the weekend goes on, I will put up more of the fun things we get up to here at Sun City.
Check the pictures out at Fun Media Pics....
Check the pictures out at Fun Media Pics....
Day 2 is Risen
The sun has risen on day 2 of the Nedbank Golf Challenge with a couple of exciting little battles on the cards, but 1st....
Last night saw the traditional "Beach Party" sponsored by Nedbank and Sun City. It has got to bee one of the best spreads you will ever see. In fact, it is a little over the top, but who am I to complain? The theme of the evening was The Dragon. That's just another name for the waiters to be dressed up as asian people. It looked a little strange to see the regular Sun City service staff to be dressed up with funny hats and clothes, but after a couple of drinks, they all looked the same.
On arriving at the Bridge of Time, some really big bouncers put on a bangle on my arm to allow be acces to this wonderful evening. And a wonderful eveving it turned out to be. Food was plentiful with fresh oysters as starters, in fact, they were so fresh that they were still being opened whbile we were there. Beer was ample and cold with the most lovely lovelies handing them out. One was Dominique and the other was Danel.
At one stage, we had about 6 beers in in front of us and between 3 of us, we made short work of it. The night went quietly with Duane coming back from the awards dinner at 3am. He didn't wake me up though.
Back to the golf, the reason we are here.
Today the morning starts with Colin Montgomerie up against Chris DiMarco, both of whom had really bad starts to the Challenge. Sergio and Ernie are up next but the pick of the 2balls today is Retief Goosen and Charl Schwartzel. Charl's odds of winning had widened since I backed him, but I am still feeling good about him doing well.
Jim Furyk, another one of my bets is in the last pairing with Henrick Stenson. Expect to see some big changes on the leaderboard today. The heat is on and the wind is strong.
On a final note. The head chef here at Sun City told me that 4 1/2 tons of ribs are eaten over the 4 days of the Golf Challenge.
Last night saw the traditional "Beach Party" sponsored by Nedbank and Sun City. It has got to bee one of the best spreads you will ever see. In fact, it is a little over the top, but who am I to complain? The theme of the evening was The Dragon. That's just another name for the waiters to be dressed up as asian people. It looked a little strange to see the regular Sun City service staff to be dressed up with funny hats and clothes, but after a couple of drinks, they all looked the same.
On arriving at the Bridge of Time, some really big bouncers put on a bangle on my arm to allow be acces to this wonderful evening. And a wonderful eveving it turned out to be. Food was plentiful with fresh oysters as starters, in fact, they were so fresh that they were still being opened whbile we were there. Beer was ample and cold with the most lovely lovelies handing them out. One was Dominique and the other was Danel.
At one stage, we had about 6 beers in in front of us and between 3 of us, we made short work of it. The night went quietly with Duane coming back from the awards dinner at 3am. He didn't wake me up though.
Back to the golf, the reason we are here.
Today the morning starts with Colin Montgomerie up against Chris DiMarco, both of whom had really bad starts to the Challenge. Sergio and Ernie are up next but the pick of the 2balls today is Retief Goosen and Charl Schwartzel. Charl's odds of winning had widened since I backed him, but I am still feeling good about him doing well.
Jim Furyk, another one of my bets is in the last pairing with Henrick Stenson. Expect to see some big changes on the leaderboard today. The heat is on and the wind is strong.
On a final note. The head chef here at Sun City told me that 4 1/2 tons of ribs are eaten over the 4 days of the Golf Challenge.
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