Johannesburg.
Gautenger Mike Tootill, partnered by Paul Atkinson of Western Province, collected their fifth S A National Men’s Doubles title when they outplayed defending champions, Justin Gouweloos and Alan McGuigan (Midlands) 11-9 11-9 4-11 11-9 when the final was played at the Johannesburg Country Club doubles courts at the weekend.
In the semi-finals, Gouweloos and McGuigan had been involved in a marathon 5 game tussle lasting 2 hours and 46 minutes with Andrew Martin and Jason Kershaw which resulted in a nailbiting 11-10 win in the decider for the Midland’s pair.
In the other semi-final, Tootill and Atkinson defeated Christo Potgieter and JP Brits (North West) also in 5 games, to set up their 7th appearance in the finals.
Former national player, Farrah Sterne (Northerns)won her third national doubles title when together with Northerns team mate Sonica Fritz they accounted for defending champion Cheyna Tucker, who was partnered by Western Province’s Siyoli Waters’, in 4 games.
Tucker, a student at the University of Johannesburg, combined with Michael Wood to successfully defend the mixed title she won last year with Atkinson.
Wood and Tucker needed only 3 games to account for sixth seeded Darren and Nicola Helwick in the final. The Helwicks had upset third seeds Paul Atkinson and Alexandra Fuller of Western Province in 4 games in the quarterfinals.
Results :
Men: Final : 2- M Tootill/ P Atkinson beat 1- Justin Gouweloos/Alan McGuigan 11-9 11-9 4-11 11-9
4-A Martin/J Kershaw w/o C Potgieter/J P Brits scr
Women : Final :3- F Stern/S Fritz beat 1-C Tucker/S Waters 3-1
3rd Place : 2- A Fuller/S Haupt bt 5-T Le Roux/M Aucamp 3-0
Mixed : Final : 4-M Wood/C Tucker bt 6- D /N Helwick 3-0
3rd Place :1- Mike Tootill/Senade Haupt w/o 2-Christo Potgieter/ Farrah Sterne