Rising young star, Bertus Kruger, made a significant step forward in his fledgling career in Paris, this week, by qualifying for the main draw of the Junior French Open.
Kruger, who attends St Stithians in Johannesburg, qualified by beating Bulgarian, Leonid Sheyngezikht, 4-6, 6-3 & 7-5.
Earlier in the week the Gauteng Central youngster beat Japan's, Toru Horie - a player currently ranked in the top 50 in the ITF Junior rankings.
Kruger's Coach, Ross Nemeth, who is at the event with the player, commented: "His first qualifier was a great display of what he is capable of doing on court and he played a great match. He played a very good player and Bertus dominated him with his big forehand and serve, from start to finish."
"In his final round qualifying, it was a more tense and gruelling affair. He was last match on and the rain was falling regularly. There were two rain delays and that added to all the drama. Conditions were very heavy and Bertus fought from start to finish and that's what was needed to win 7-5 in the third set and qualify for the main draw."
Kruger's plays his first match in the main draw on Sunday and Nemeth believes the player is ready for the challenge ahead: "He is extremely excited about making the main draw and is now looking forward to taking on the best junior plays in the world."