01-May:
Finals day in Cape Town

[1] Siyoli Waters (Rsa) 3-0 [3] Farah Abdel Maguid (Egy)
                 12/10, 20/18, 11/7
[2] Nathan Lake (Eng) 3-0 [1] Angus Gillams (Eng)
                 11/7, 11/6, 11/8

It's a hat-trick for Waters and a first for Lake
Kerr Rogers reports

The 2015 event was bigger than ever before with 78 men and 32 women players as well as the creation of an Open B section which accommodated 10, U14 players in their first ever major event.

The finals day started off with Natalie Grainger (Keith’s sister) a former World no 1 player and current USA National Women’s coach providing a question/answer session and coaching session with the UCT men and UCT women no 1 players. School children from all over the Western Cape attended together with their coaches and were treated to an hour of interesting insights into the game. Current SA no 1, Siyoli Waters was in attendance in the crowd and openly discussed what she would need to do to break into the top 20 in the World. Natalie emphasized the importance of the grip and how to coach the art of spinning the ball off the racquet.

Next on the court was the Women’s Open A section final, Raquel Le Roux, current UCT no 2 was up against UCT no 3, Shanna Swart who marched into the final by beating the no 1 seed during the week. The match produced 5 entertaining games with Raquel wining the match 3-2 after 35 minutes.

The Men’s Open A section final was between current SA no 7, Gary Wheadon and Daniel Smith (SA no 51 and studying at the University of Stellenbosch). Gary showed his class and experience winning the first 2 games, Daniel then produced some great consistent squash winning the 3rd. Gary regained focus and was ruthless in the 4th winning 11-2, and winning the match 3-1.

The WSA Women’s Final was between SA no 1 Siyoli Waters WSA 35 and Farah Abdel Meguid from Egypt (WSA 75).

The first game produced a high level of pressure squash with both players not able to dominate the score board and create any sufficient lead, Siyoli ended the stronger clinching the 1st game 12-10. In the 2nd Siyoli had to dig deep to come from 2-7 down to level the game at 10-10, both players then produced intense pressured squash not making any errors with the crowd on the edge of their seats as players traded point for point….

it was the experienced Siyoli that hung in there forcing an error and winning the 2nd, 20-18. In the 3rd , Siyoli quickly created a 2 point lead which Farah was unable to catch, resulting in Siyoli winning the 3rd, 11-7 and clinching the match 3-0 in 40 minutes. Winning the event for a 3rd straight year.

Final match of the day was the PSA Men’s Final between Angus Gillams PSA 120 and Nathan Lake PSA 124.

This was Nathan's first ever PSA final and he came out the blocks firing on all cylinders winning the first game 11-7. He continued this dominance in the 2nd winning 11-6.

At 7-0 up in the 3rd everyone thought that Angus was dead and buried but he showed plenty of grit to work every point and slowly worked his way back into the game getting to 5-7 down but Nathan was too good on the day and won the 3rd 11-8 and the match 3-0 in 62 minutes, the length of the match shows it was much more than a simple 3-0 win!

The prize giving followed. Luke Stevens, UCT Men’s Club Captain thanked all sponsors, players and supporters of the event.

In the prize giving interview Siyoli Waters, Natalie Grainger and Nathan Lake all had a few words to say which is seen below:

Natalie Grainger: “I am so pleased to be here contributing to ensuring up and coming youngsters don’t need to leave South African shores to play International squash as I had to. My brother Keith loved his time at UCT, he made so many friends here and contributed where ever he could, as barman, committee member and organiser of the first ever UCT squash tour to the USA whilst fighting bone cancer.

"His resilient spirit shone through in everything he did. This event is so close to my parents and my hearts and his spirit lives on, really special to be able to remember my brother in this way. It has been a pleasure watching some high level squash in South Africa and I look forward to seeing a possible South African World Champion emerge.”

Siyoli Waters: “I know Farah really well having run into her often on tour, great to see her back playing after completing her studies. Always an exciting challenge playing the skilful Egyptian players on tour and I had to ensure I started each game well and dominate the points not allowing her to display her skills. In the marathon 2nd game I was just focusing on not putting the ball into the tin, which I often do under pressure! Natalies words to me early on in the day really hit home, that I needed to be more consistent in my approach, so it was important for me to win for the 3rd straight year.

Such a privilege to have Natalie back in South Africa, a player we really look up to, especially that back hand drop! Many thanks to Jean & Chris Grainger, my coach Rowan Smith, Tecnifibre, Laser Logistics, friends, my church and my supportive husband. I was really pleased to see so many squash playing juniors in the crowd”.

Nathan Lake: “I would like to thank all my opponents this week, especially Angus in the final. I had to work really hard to win the 3rd after leading 7-0, you never gave up and I had to remain focused and was relieved to win the match.

"This is my 3rd time at this event in Cape Town, and I love it here! It is such an enjoyable experience, all the spectators and my amazing hosts, Sharon and Owen, many thanks, and to my coach Rob Owen who has done a huge amount for me on and off court over the last two years

"Thank you to all the Refs, student organising committee, Grainger Family and important sponsors, thank you to everyone involved.”



Huge thank you to all players, officials, sponsors and media partners for all your support around the 2015 Keith Grainger Memorial UCT Squash Open. Keith would be proud!

8/11, 11/9, 11/7, 11/7 (68m)

[7] Jean-Pierre Brits

11/7, 11/6, 11/8

[2] Nathan Lake

11/6, 11/5, 11/9 (27m)

[2] Nathan Lake

Round ONE:

[1] Angus Gillams (Eng) 3-0 [Q] Owen de Jager (Rsa)           11/3, 11/3, 11/5 (19m)
Ruan Olivier (Rsa) 3-0 Ben Coates (Eng)                            12/10, 11/6, 11/5 (20m)
[Q] Rodney Durbach (Rsa) 3-0 Kyle Maree (Rsa)                  11/3, 11/3, 11/3 (21m)
[8] Joe Green (Eng) 3-0 [Q] Aubrey Lawrence (Rsa)              11/3, 11/7, 11/5 (28m)

[7] Jean-Pierre Brits (Rsa) 3-0 [LL] Murray Commins (Rsa)    11/8, 11/4, 11/4 (25m)
Ahmed Mohamed (Egy) 3-0 [Q] Luke Stevens (Rsa)             11/8, 12/10, 11/4 (25m)
Julian Tomlinson (Eng) 3-1 Juan Pablo Roude (Arg)        11/3, 11/8, 7/11, 11/2 (55m)
[4] Manoel Pereira (Bra) 3-0 Jon Geekie (Sco)                       11/9, 11/9, 11/5 (25m)

[3] Christo Potgieter (Rsa) 3-2 Josh Taylor (Eng)  11/3, 11/8, 7/11, 8/11, 11/2 (55m)
Diego Gobbi (Bra) 3-0 [Q] Justin Wesson (Rsa)                     11/4, 11/4, 11/8 (35m)
Chris Hall (Eng) 3-0 [Q] Thomas Jordaan (Rsa)                     11/5, 11/1, 11/5 (22m)
[Q] Rudi Willemse (Rsa) 3-2 [6] Babatunde Ajagbe (Ngr)  11/7,11/9,4/11,5/11 (59m)

Gareth Naidoo (Rsa) 3-2 [5] Arthur Moineau (Fra) 11/8,7/11,11/3,15/17,14/12 (65m)
Anthony Graham (Eng) 3-0 Omar Bahgat (Egy)                     11/6, 11/5, 11/0 (20m)
Mazen Gamal (Egy) w/o Tariq Khan (Pak)                                        w/o
[2] Nathan Lake (Eng) 3-0 [Q] Rowan Smith (Rsa)                  11/4, 11/4, 11/5 (20m)

Qualifying finals:
Rowan Smith (Rsa) 3-0 Gary Wheadon (Rsa)                       11-8, 11-8, 11-5 (37m)
Thomas Jordaan (Rsa) 3-0 Mighael Cornelis Lombard (Rsa) 12-10, 11-6, 11-9 (38m)
Rodney Durbach (Rsa) 3-0 Jean-Pierre van der Merwe (Rsa) 11-6, 11-6, 11-6 (25m)
Aubrey Lawrence (Rsa) 3-2 Daniel Smith (Rsa)   5-11, 9-11, 11-6, 11-8, 11-8 (56m)
Rudi Willemse (Rsa) 3-0 Murray Commins (Rsa)                 11-5, 12-10, 11-8 (25m)
Justin Wesson (Rsa) 3-0 David Jones (Sco)                         11-7, 11-6, 11-5 (21m)
Owen de Jager (Rsa) 3-0 HP Olivier (Rsa)                          11-6, 11-4, 11-4 (21m)
Luke Stevens (Rsa) w/o James Hockey (Rsa)                                   w/o

Qualifying Round One:
Gary Wheadon (Rsa) 3-0 Roger Cox (Rsa)                                11-5, 11-7, 11-6
Rowan Smith (Rsa) 3-0 Antonio Bruni (Rsa)                               11-4, 11-1, 11-1
Thomas Jordaan (Rsa) 3-0 Dean Maxton (Rsa)                         14-12, 11-3, 11-6
Mighael Cornelis Lombard (Rsa) w/o Zizi Mlokoti (Rsa)                         w/o
Jean-Pierre van der Merwe (Rsa) 3-1 Kyle Brown (Rsa)    11-7, 14-12, 9-11, 11-9
Rodney Durbach (Rsa) 3-0 Marius Stols (Rsa)                            11-5, 11-2, 11-9
Aubrey Lawrence (Rsa) 3-1 Daniel Thomson (Rsa)             9-11, 11-9, 11-7, 11-9
Daniel Smith (Rsa) 3-0 Brad Coventry (Rsa)                              11-1, 11-4, 11-2
Murray Commins (Rsa) 3-0 Michael Greig (Rsa)                         11-4, 11-7, 11-5
Rudi Willemse (Rsa) 3-0 Clinton Ndebele (Rsa)                          11-6, 11-2, 11-7
Justin Wesson (Rsa) 3-0 Maziar Ghaziasgar (Rsa)                       11-0, 11-1, 11-3
David Jones (Sco) 3-1 Marnus Janse van Rensburg (Rsa ) 3-11, 12-10, 11-2, 11-8
Owen de Jager (Rsa) 3-1 Lugmaan Fakier (Rsa)               10-12, 11-4, 11-1, 11-4
HP Olivier (Rsa) 3-1 Conrad Janse van Rensburg (Rsa)               11-6, 11-6, 11-8
Luke Stevens (Rsa) w/o Gerjo van der Merwe (Rsa)                              w/o

11/4, 11/6, 11/9 (25m)

[5] Milnay Louw

12/10, 20/18, 11/7

[3] Farah Abdel Meguid

11/3, 11/7, 11/9 (28m)

[8] Elani Landman

Qualifying finals:

Danielle van Niekerk (Rsa) 3-0 Raquel le Roux (Rsa)         11-6, 11-6, 11-8
Ria Kennerley (Eng) 3-0 Katie Mayhew (Rsa)                      11-8, 11-1, 11-4
Sharon Bender (Rsa) 3-1 Nono Sekhoto (Rsa)          12-10, 8-11, 11-3, 11-4
Gill van Vlaanderen (Rsa) 3-0 Sibongile Seroto (Rsa)         11-6, 11-9, 11-5

Qualifying Round One:

Danielle van Niekerk (Rsa) 3-0 Michaela Workmann (Rsa)      11-2, 11-2, 11-5
Raquel le Roux (Rsa) 3-0 Tayla Diepenbroek (Rsa)                11-3, 11-3, 11-4
Katie Mayhew (Rsa) 3-0 Shanna Swart (Rsa)                      14-12, 11-5, 13-11
Ria Kennerley (Eng) 3-0 Kirsten Porter (Rsa)                        11-2, 11-5, 11-4
Sharon Bender (Rsa) 3-0 Angie Helm (Rsa)                           11-2, 11-4, 11-5
Nono Sekhoto (Rsa) w/o Hannah Oglesby (Rsa)                              w/o
Gill van Vlaanderen (Rsa) 3-0 Nicola Douglass (Rsa)               11-4, 11-5, 11-8
Sibongile Seroto (Rsa) 3-0 Leenta Marx (Rsa)                      11-4, 14-12, 11-8

Quarters Photos

Quarters Photos

Day 3 Photos

Day 3 Photos

Day 3 Photo Album