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SA's Scholtz books final spot

Cape Town - South Africa will be represented in Sunday’s Futures 1 tennis finals in Stellenbosch.

Second seeded Bolander, Nik Scholtz, needed two hours and thirty nine minutes to reach the men’s singles final by beating Lucas Miedler, the Austrian third seed, 6-7 (3/7), 6-1, 6-2.

Scholtz battled in the opening set but that did not deter the 24-year-old. He quickly regained his composure and made easy work of his opponent, dominating the second and final sets.

“It was a very tough game, my opponent is a very solid player. The game felt much longer than it actually was but the result was what I hoped for in the end. I did not have the best start having lost the opening set but as the match progressed I felt stronger and stronger” said Scholtz.

In the final, Scholtz will go up against the top seed Austrian Pascal Brunner. Brunner was also extended to three sets by eighth seeded Italian, Luca Pancaldi, before winning his semi-final 7-5, 3-6, 6-3.

Brunner said he felt his match against Pancaldi was the best he had played all tournament. “It has been a very tough tournament with the weather conditions, the heat can get very intense and affects the game very much. Today I really played a great game.”

Brunner added that had not seen too much of Scholtz’s game and had never played the tall and lanky South African. “I have not seen or played against Nik before but I got a chance in the semi-finals today and I noticed he has a big serve. As far as tomorrow is concerned we will have to wait and see.”

Scholtz said he had respect for his top seeded final opponent. “Brunner is obviously a very good player being the top seed. I have never seen him play before but I am feeling positive that I will do well.”

In the women’s semi-finals, Namibia’s Lesedi Jacobs continued her giant killing run at this week’s Futures 1. The 18-year-old, in her last year as a junior, caused yet another upset beating sixth seed South African Madrie Le Roux 1-6, 6-3, 6-4 to secured a spot in Sunday’s final.

“I’m very happy with the result, especially with me losing the first set and fighting my way to a win. It has not yet all sunk in but all I’m feeling at the moment is joy! This win means a lot to me, I have played in three other Futures tournaments this year and this is the furthest I have gone,” said Jacobs.

In the second women’s semi-finals, fifth seed Luisa Huber of Germany made easy work of countrywoman and eighth seed Amelie Intert, winning 6-4, 6-2.

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