Phillip Henning has secured his second Curro Centre Court title in two weeks, firmly establishing himself as a rising talent on the ITF World Tennis Tour. Over these two weeks, the tournament has showcased exciting matches, strong local and international players, and impressive teamwork to manage the weather challenges.
Henning makes it a double at Curro Centre Court Series
South Africa’s Phillip Henning made it two titles in two weeks as he came from a set down to win the men’s singles final to conclude the second week of the ITF World Tennis Tour event at the Curro Hillcrest courts on Sunday, while Stephanie Judith Visscher of the Netherlands, took the honours for the women.
Henning, the number one seed, overcame a strong challenge from Poland’s Filip Peliwo, the number three, to take the honours 4/6, 6/4, 6/2 and claim his fifth men’s singles Curro Centre Court title, following one in Hillcrest and two in Stellenbosch last year to go with his current double strike.
It was a match that saw both players unleashing powerful and clinical groundstrokes as they both used the court to move each other around in attempting to set up the killer blow. “It’s been a good two weeks, but Filip is a tough opponent. He gets to everything, never gives up and keeps chasing the lines,” said Henning.
For Peliwo, it was a solid start, which faltered slightly as the shadows lengthened into the afternoon. However, he was gracious in defeat and is determined to get his hands on the cherished title in the final week of the tournament. “I started well and that title is getting closer. I had my chances, but the match swung the other way, and I have another week to go all the way,” he said.
Visscher, the women’s top seed, also came from losing the opening set to get the better of Russia’s Kira Pavlova, the second seed, 4/6, 6/3, 6/2, a finger injury plaguing the Russian as the game went on. “It’s been a good week for me, and I wish I could play like this all the time. No excuse though, as Stephanie played really well and I look forward to week three,” said Pavlova.
A strong serve helped carry Visscher at vital times and she acknowledged that the fast courts suited her style of play. “Last week, I was playing on clay, and it took me time to adjust in some of my earlier matches, but I got stronger as the week progressed, definitely saving my best for today,” she said. “This is my third title in South Africa and it’s my happy place to play.”
It was also a second straight win in the men’s doubles final where the South African pairing of Luc Koenig and Devon Badenhorst, the number four seeds, repeated their first week title win, defeating the third seed pairing of Akram El Sallaly (Egy) and South Africa’s Khololwam Montsi 7/6, 7/6 in a fiercely fought contest, decided on two tie-break sets.
Japan’s Ayumi Miyamoto and Miyu Nakashima, the fourth seeds, were too strong for Andre Lukosiute (Lith) and Gloriana Nahum (Benin), in the women’s doubles, winning comfortably 6/0, 6/2.
After Saturday’s play was completely washed out due to rain, the Curro Sport team pulled together to make sure all matches were completed on Sunday. With better weather, smart scheduling and access to extra courts, everything ran smoothly, allowing the third and final week to start on time.
“It really came down to teamwork,” said Jared Temlett, project manager at Curro Sport. “Everyone just got stuck in to make sure we could catch up, and I’m proud of how the team handled it.”
Players are using the Centre Court Series to earn valuable ranking points on the WTA and ATP tour and the talent and calibre of players on court is worth pausing to observe. There’s a high standard of tennis and country pride on show and it is promising to see some of the youthful talent on display.
Week 2 Curro Centre Court Champions
Men’s Singles: Phillip Henning (RSA)
Women’s Singles: Stephanie Judith Visscher (Ned)
Men’s Doubles: Luc Koenig (RSA)/Devon Badenhorst (RSA)
Women’s Doubles: Ayumi Miyamoto (JPN)/Miyu Nakashima (JPN)
