Fierce competition on Swakopmund courts

Zambian national Dickson Phiri and Namibia’s Linique Theron were crowned champions after winning their respective finals at the Hollard Senior Open tennis tournament at Swakopmund yesterday.Phiri overcame Daniel Jauss 6-4, 6-3 in the men’s singles final, while Linique Theron was unstoppable in the women’s final against Lisa Yssel, winning by 6-1, 6-0.Theron was unseeded for the event, but took out the number one Joanivia Bezuidenhout 6-0, 6-0 in the semi-final.Yssel’s semi-final result came after losing the first set against Taimi Nashiku 2-6, before recovering to win the next 6-2 and 6-4. Nashiku had earlier eliminated number two seed Leandre Louw 6-3, 6-4.The participation of several of Namibia’s contenders for Davis Cup (men) and Billy Jean King Cup (women) provided stern competition.Tournament director Jandre Bezuidenhout said Hollard’s contribution of prizes contributed to the bigger number of entries and the quality of competition.“We also saw youngesters coming through such as Antonio Tchivanda, the local teenager from Swakopmund who eliminated a former winner of this tournament.”The 15-year-old Tchivanda certainly delivered his share of upsets, beating two former and current Davis Cup representatives Deon van Dyk 0-6, 7-6, 11-9, as well as third seeded Nguvi Hinda (6-4, 6-4).First seeded Elias Shikongo had a bye in the first round and a decent win over Ruan Calitz (7-5, 6-2), before running into Phiri and going down 3-6, 4-8.Phiri also beat Lian Kuhn (6-0, 6-1), Philip Jauss (6-1, 6-0) and Mickey Alemu (6-4, 6-0) on his way to the final.Daniel Jauss’ road to the final included some tough challenges as he advanced past Vekondjee Kuzee (6-0, 6-0), before Ruben Yssel took him to a third set (6-1, 3-6, 10-4). Jauss then dominated the second seed George Louw 6-1, 6-2, before overcoming the challenge of the promising youg Tchivanda in the semi-final (6-1, 6-1).A total of 31 men’s players competed in the senior singles tournament, as well as 12 women.Doubles finals results:Men: Daniel Jauss and Deon van Dyk beat Arinze Okafor and Moyo Nqobiliswe 6-0, 6-1.Women: Joanivia Bezuidenhout and Linique Theron beat Taimi Nashiku and Vanessa Hofer 6-2, 6-0.

Fierce competition on Swakopmund courts

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-08

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Fierce competition on Swakopmund courts

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-08

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