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Grandin wins Mount Gambier tennis title

Posted on October 19, 2008, 4:04pm and updated on September 25, 2009 at 1:46 pm

South African Natalie Grandin defeated Melanie South 7 – 6, 6 – 4 to win the Mount Gambier Blue Lake Women’s International tennis tournament in a terrific final.

The classy left hander, seeded sixth, was more consistent than her top-seeded opponent from England.

Grandin made fewer errors and maintained composure during some long service games in which she was severely tested.

The match lasted just under two hours.

It was expected to be a contest between South’s power and Grandin’s touch, but long rallies from the baseline were the order of the day.

The wind picked up just before play started and created some uncertainty for both players on serve.

Conditions were mild though, much cooler than for Saturday’s semi-finals.

The first three games went to deuce and games went with serve until the score was 4 – 3 in Grandin’s favour.

The South African staked a claim for victory in the next game when she broke serve convincingly. South failed to win a point in the game and finished with a double fault.

She fought back in the next game to break Grandin’s serve, but momentum was with the South African.

The set was forced to a tiebreak, which Grandin won comfortably 7 – 2.

South served three aces and three double faults in the first set. Grandin never served an ace in the match but recorded three double faults, including a couple at critical times.

Both players won their first service games in the second set; then there were two breaks before South held her serve to lead 3 – 2.

Grandin regained control with a strong service game to level the game score, then broke South’s serve to lead 4 – 3.

She held serve in the next game to set up a match-winning 5 – 3 advantage.

South won the following game to force Grandin to serve for victory, which she did to take out the second set 6 – 4 and the match.

During the presentations, South congratulated Grandin on her success.

“Nat played a good match today, well done to her,” South said.

“Obviously I’m disappointed.

“I’m off to Port Pirie next; then I’ll train in Sydney and do a couple of tournaments in India and Japan before the Australian Open.”

Grandin said she would return to Durban for training before heading back to Australia for an attempt at qualifying for the Australian Open.

A doubles specialist for most of this year, Grandin showed in Mount Gambier she has the skill and ability to compete at the highest level in singles.

MICHAEL GOREY

Natalie Grandin and Melanie South

Natalie Grandin and Melanie South at Mount Gambier
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