EAST London senior tennis star Claude Moonieyan defended his Eastern Cape Seniors Open over-60 age category tennis title when he cruised to a dominant 6-1, 6-0 victory over third seed Peter Sale at Selborne Park yesterday morning.
Moonieyan made lightwork of his Port Elizabeth challenger and took the match in style, allowing him to keep the 160 rankings points he claimed from winning the event last year in PE.
“If I lost this title I would have lost the points I gained last year from winning the tournament, so I am very happy to have retained my title and points,” said Moonieyan.
With a low entry list this year due to a high number of inter-provincial tournaments being fought out around the country and many players either resting or unable to afford making every event, Moonieyan entered as number one seed and favourite.
His main challenge was expected to come from number two seed Ian Ackerman from Durban, who has often challenged him at the business end of competitions.
However, it was not to be and Moonieyan ended the tournament having only dropped an incredible two games the entire event.
He opened with a brutal 6-0, 6-0 dismantling of fellow East Londoner Dave Pollock in the first round.
Moving into the semifinal Moonieyan came up against another East Londoner Christo Theart and again made short work of the challenge with a thumping 6-1, 6-0 victory.
Moonieyan then came up against Sale, who must still have been feeling the after-effects of his epic three-set battle with Ackerman the day before that saw him claim an extremely hard-fought 7-6, 6-7, 6-2 win that took him into the final.
“Peter played a very tough match against the number two seed yesterday, so he was probably still tired today,” said Moonieyan.
Following the singles Moonieyan and Sale clashed again in the doubles final.
In this match however it was Sale that emerged victorious as him and playing partner Tony van Zyl came back from a set down to win 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 over Moonieyan and Ackerman who were playing together.
Holding onto his points keeps Moonieyan on track to be selected as one of four over-60 seniors to play for South Africa at the Seniors World Cup in Turkey later this year.
Keeping these points and adding on the points garnered through playing at the recent inter-provincial tournament in George for Gauteng Central – as Border did not have a seniors team – should lift him up to second on the senior rankings from his current position of fourth, and secure him a spot in the team which should be selected in the coming weeks.
It has been a long two years for Moonieyan who started playing tennis again to realise his dream of playing overseas after he missed out many years ago as a youngster when he was given the chance.
“I have done enough to make the team,” claimed Moonieyan.
“This is the opportunity of a lifetime, I had the chance when I was much younger, but the ship just went past, so I am thrilled to get a second chance, especially at this age.”
But now he will be looking for sponsors to help him get there as players have to fund their own trips if they are selected.
Moonieyan may yet realise a Cup dream
Moonieyan made lightwork of his Port Elizabeth challenger and took the match in style, allowing him to keep the 160 rankings points he claimed from winning the event last year in PE.
“If I lost this title I would have lost the points I gained last year from winning the tournament, so I am very happy to have retained my title and points,” said Moonieyan.
With a low entry list this year due to a high number of inter-provincial tournaments being fought out around the country and many players either resting or unable to afford making every event, Moonieyan entered as number one seed and favourite.
His main challenge was expected to come from number two seed Ian Ackerman from Durban, who has often challenged him at the business end of competitions.
However, it was not to be and Moonieyan ended the tournament having only dropped an incredible two games the entire event.
He opened with a brutal 6-0, 6-0 dismantling of fellow East Londoner Dave Pollock in the first round.
Moving into the semifinal Moonieyan came up against another East Londoner Christo Theart and again made short work of the challenge with a thumping 6-1, 6-0 victory.
Moonieyan then came up against Sale, who must still have been feeling the after-effects of his epic three-set battle with Ackerman the day before that saw him claim an extremely hard-fought 7-6, 6-7, 6-2 win that took him into the final.
“Peter played a very tough match against the number two seed yesterday, so he was probably still tired today,” said Moonieyan.
Following the singles Moonieyan and Sale clashed again in the doubles final.
In this match however it was Sale that emerged victorious as him and playing partner Tony van Zyl came back from a set down to win 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 over Moonieyan and Ackerman who were playing together.
Holding onto his points keeps Moonieyan on track to be selected as one of four over-60 seniors to play for South Africa at the Seniors World Cup in Turkey later this year.
Keeping these points and adding on the points garnered through playing at the recent inter-provincial tournament in George for Gauteng Central – as Border did not have a seniors team – should lift him up to second on the senior rankings from his current position of fourth, and secure him a spot in the team which should be selected in the coming weeks.
It has been a long two years for Moonieyan who started playing tennis again to realise his dream of playing overseas after he missed out many years ago as a youngster when he was given the chance.
“I have done enough to make the team,” claimed Moonieyan.
“This is the opportunity of a lifetime, I had the chance when I was much younger, but the ship just went past, so I am thrilled to get a second chance, especially at this age.”
But now he will be looking for sponsors to help him get there as players have to fund their own trips if they are selected.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending Now
Latest Videos