Alex Fuller and Dewald van Niekerk, two of South Africa’s best squash players, were crowned Growthpoint SA Nationals champions on Sunday at the V & A Waterfront in Cape Town, following the finals.
Fuller, of Cape Town, reclaimed the championship she won in 2020 with a 3-0 victory over second-seeded and defending women’s champion Lizelle Muller, who displayed defensive tendencies.
Van Niekerk won his second consecutive title by defeating World Masters over-35 champion Christo Potgieter in straight games in a contest that was as much mental as it was physical. The match lasted 44 minutes.
Van Niekerk, who has developed his game to become the finest player in his country, now intends to attempt to go to the next level and will want to play abroad in 2023.
He was ecstatic to win his second national championship, repeating his 2021 victory over Potgieter, but conceded that the competition had been much stronger this year.
“Christo is obviously a very talented player, so I had to be incredibly disciplined in not opening up the court too much for him and allowing him time to play his strokes at the front of the court,” Van Niekerk said.
In the 24 minute second game, when Potgieter realized he had to match his younger opponent’s discipline and gave Van Niekerk little pace to work with, the outcome was arguably determined.
At 10-9, he earned a game point via sheer grit with a stunning drop into the nip.
Van Niekerk was up to the challenge, striking a winning backhand volley before Potgieter’s drop shot blunder and another Van Niekerk volley winner gave him a decisive 2-0 lead.
He subsequently assumed command of the third game and was ecstatic to win his second championship.
“It was another dream come true, especially against Christo,” remarked Van Niekerk. “I was in trouble if I did not exert myself in the second game, but Christo deserves praise for his efforts.”
In the women’s final, Fuller, rated 30th in the world, outplayed her 37-year-old opponent by utilizing her professional tournament expertise.
It’s always amazing to win the national championship, and it’s been a pleasure to play here, said the 29-year-old WP star.
It’s fantastic that so many people are observing, as this setup is great.
Fuller stated that her aggressive style had been honed on the pro circuit, where she quickly capitalized on any opportunity.
“You must focus on putting yourself in an offensive posture because the global tour requires it,” she explained.
“At that level, the game is really physical, and the girls are so strong that the further you play, the more problems you will encounter.”
Results
Women:
Final: Alex Fuller (WP) bt Lizelle Muller (SACD) 3-0 (11-4 11-6 11-5)
3rd place: Siyoli Waters (WP) bt Alexa Pienaar (SACD) 3-1 (11-4 9-11 11-8 11-4)
Teagan Roux (Joburg Squash) defeated Helena Coetzee (Northerns) 3-1 to claim fifth place (11-9 2-11 11-2 11-9)
Shelomi Truter’s walkover finish (Hayley Ward, EP, injured)
Men:
Final: Dewald van Niekerk (SACD) bt Christo Potgieter 3-0 (11-2 12-10 11-3)
Walkover by Tristen Worth (SACD) for third place (Ruan Olivier, Northerns, ill)
JP Brits (SACD) defeated Rodney Durbach (WP) 3-0 for fifth place (11-7 12-10 11-6)
7th place: walkover by Matthew Boote (KZN) (Thoboki Mohohlo, Joburg Squash, injured)