SWAKOPMUND – The recently concluded Alexander Forbes Open tennis tournament held in Swakopmund produced some of the best tennis ever witnessed in Namibia this year.
Overall winner in the men’s final was Phenyo Matong from Botswana who defeated Deon van Dyk 7-6: 6-2. As widely expected, the No 1 seed Kerstin Gressman saw off Julianna Schuckman 6-1 and 6-3 in the ladies final.
The men’s single quarterfinal clash in which Michau Basson defeated the top seed Henco Serdyn was a three and a half hour battle with both players giving no quarter. However, Basson emerged victorious 3-6,6-2 and 7-5.
The next day, Basson got involved in another marathon battle of two and a half hours against Deon van Dyk, with the latter winning 3-6;6-4 and 6-3.
The mixed doubles title was won by Deon van Dyk and his partner Kerstin Gressman, dispatching the combination of Michau Basson and Julianna Schuckmann in a grueling tie that was probably the most exciting of the tournament.
Spectators were on the edge of their seats cheering both couples in a match that could have gone either way. Unfortunately, there could be only one winner with Van Dyk and Gressman emerging victorious.
By Staff Reporter