Picture: BRIAN WITBOOI
Kaylin Bouwer, of Port Elizabeth, is the top seed at the Tennis SA (TSA) Series Week Two, which started in the city this week.
The main venue is the Port Elizabeth Lawn Tennis Club in Park Drive, Central Hill, but fixtures are being played at 11 venues throughout the Friendly City.
“The tournament is in its 16th year and every province hosts two TSA series,” organiser Andus Bruwer said.
The TSA Series Week One was concluded on Sunday.
“This tournament serves as the strongest one before the ITF [International Tennis Federation],” Bruwer said.
The playing venues are at Pearson High school, Victoria Park Tennis Club, Summerwood Tennis Club, Clarendon Park Primary, Walmer Lawn Tennis Club on 10th, Wembley Tennis Club and the Collegiate junior and high school courts.
More than 1 069 entries had been received on the TSA website from the top players in their age groups and in the open groups.
Bruwer said the tournament was split into two weeks, because of the draw, and that both were logged as different tournaments.
“This year, we had the two events in one city, both allocated to Nelson Mandela Bay,” Bruwer said.
“Last year, one was held in Buffalo City [East London].”
According to the TSA rankings, the tournament was rated as a seven, with the nationals the only tournament with a higher rating of eight, Bruwer said.
“From there, the tennis players progress to the international level.”
The finals of the TSA Series Week Two are set to be played at the Port Elizabeth Lawn Tennis club tomorrow, with the first encounter starting as early as 8am.
Port Elizabeth’s Bouwer has competed against the top South African players before and had reached the semifinals in previous tournaments.
