South African juniors Robbie Arends and Maretha Burger clinched the NWU/RVTA Junior ITF 2 boys and girls singles titles respectively when the tournament ended in Potchefstroom on Saturday.
It was the last of the two back-to-back junior international Grade 5 tournaments played at the Riaan Venter Tennis Academy (RVTA).
Top seed Robbie Arends from Cape Town wasted little time edging out compatriot Alec Beckley 6-4 6-3 to secure the boys singles title.
The 17-year-old Arends was a star player last week reaching the final without dropping a set. He also bagged the doubles title with partner Dylan Salton. The duo defeated Beckley and NWU/RVTA Junior ITF 1 champion Thando Longwe-Smit in a scintillating final 4-6 6-1 [10-8].
It is Arends’ first ITF singles career title.
“The win means a lot to me. At this level, everybody can hit backhands, forehands, serves etc, I have been focusing on my mental strength because that's what's separates players from champions #Championminded. I could not have achieved this without my coaches at the Anthony Harris Tennis Academy. We have all worked hard towards this victory,” commented ecstatic Arends.
In the girls’ event, Stellenbosch’s Maretha Burger, seeded 6th, upset second seed Delien Kleinhans 3-6 6-4 6-4 to lift the title.
The country’s number 2 junior Kleinhans fought valiantly, but Burger just had an answer for every single question asked. The victory was her first ITF singles title and she left Potchefstroom with two titles to her name after scooping the doubles title with Christine Kruger.
“I just kept saying to myself if I go out and play good the win will come on its own. I kept my head up and I knew I have put in the hours to achieve great heights,” commented Burger.