Kruger and Simpson Win 2nd Bloem Titles

U12 title winner at the 2012 Key Health South African Junior Tennis Championship, Zoe Kruger emulated U18 champ Jessica Simpson, the two of them winning back-to-back titles in Bloemfontein in two gruelling weeks of tennis in extreme heat as the contenders thrashed out the four age group titles on offer.

Jessica Simpson of Cape Town, seeded three captured the under-18 girls title by upsetting top seeded Theresa van Zyl of Northern Cape 6-2 6-1. It was two-in-a-row for the tall Capetonian, who captured the Dunlop Free State Challenge the week prior to the Nationals.

In fairness to van Zyl, she went into the final not feeling herself suffering from a chest infection, however Simpson was the in-form player on the day, striking the ball well and dominating from the baseline.

In the girls-under 16, Huibre-Mare Botes seeded three of Free State gave the hosts their first of two singles titles when she upset top seed Rouxanne van Rensburg of Boland 4-6 6-3 6-2.

“I am delighted with my first national singles win” said a smiling Botes following victory.

“The first set was tight, I gave away a lot of opportunities and after losing the first set I said to myself to remain calm and play my normal game. It worked and now I can smile as the new national champion.”

In the battle of the twins, Lee Barnard beat her sister Zani 7-5 6-2 in the under-14 girls final.

Lee was tournament favourite and although made a shaky first set start, easily won the second set against her second-seeded sister.

The under-12 girls title was won by top seed Zoe Kruger of Pretoria, who like Simpson has won back-to-back titles here in Bloemfontein, after coming back from 1-3 down in the second set to beat 2-Carl van Onselen of Eastern Province 6-1 6-3.