TENNIS PLAYERS FLY THE SOUTH AFRICAN FLAG AT THE KIA AMATEUR AUSTRALIAN OPEN!

2010 Kia Amateur Australian Open South African winners, Ronel Louw and Wessel Kemp will fly the South African flag at the 2011 Kia Amateur Australian Open world finals in Melbourne.

The duo leaves for the World Finals on Tuesday, 26 January 2011 to face 24 other couples from 14 other countries including: Germany, France, Netherlands, Poland, Sweden, Libya, Jordan, Nigeria, Chile, USA, Korea, Australia, New Zealand and China.

The two day tournament will be played at the Centre Court in Melbourne Park on the 28^th and 29^th January culminating in a Gala dinner to be held on the evening of the 29^th January 2011.

Louw and Kemp will be treated to a VIP experience at the Australian Open courtesy of Kia motors which includes watching the Australian Open Men’s single semi-final and final on the 27^th and 30^th January.

“This is an amazing opportunity and I cannot wait to compete against other world amateur players.  Of course the climax will be watching the Australian open and the professional players in action,” said Louw.

This is the second time Louw will participate in the Kia Amateur Australian Open.  “I won the trip to play in this tournament in 2003 and we finished within the top 10.  The experience was the highlight of my life and I have since competed in the South African leg every year in the hope that I will get the chance again.  I have come close reaching the finals but being beaten.  It is now my turn again and I will make the most of it.”

Kia SA Marketing Manager, Vinola Pillay said, “KIA Motors is proud to be able to give players at this level the opportunity of a lifetime to compete against other exceptional players from around the world in one of the premier venues.”

In addition to the Kia Amateur Australian Open tournament, Kia Motors is the major sponsor of the Australian Tennis Open – one of four Grand Slam tournaments.

Ronel Louw and Wessel Kemp have emerged as victors of the 2010 KIA Amateur Australian Open National finals which were played at the University of Pretoria from the 26 – 28 November, 2010. Ronel and Wessel will now represent South Africa at the World Finals to be held in Melbourne, Australia, in January 2011.  Ronel is a previous winner of the event having competed in Australia in 2003.

After two days of qualifiers Louw and Kemp reached the finals with the women’s final taking place first.  Louw (47) took on a younger Lisa Van Der Riet (33).  Both players know each other exceptionally well:  “We are great friends and play a practise match against each other every Thursday,” said Louw.  “I did not think I would beat her, but it was my day and I feel so privileged to be going to Australia in January – again!” 

It was then up to the men to clinch the deal.  “I had beaten Lisa, but it was now up to Wessel to win so that we were indeed the couple to be going to Australia.  I was very nervous for him as it was a case of the two older ladies competing and the two young coaches.  Wessel Kemp, who was my partner and is my coach and Dawie Eybers, who is Lisa’s coach and partner” said Louw. 

The men were 6 games all with Kemp needing one more point to win the set, but the situation was too much for the youngster and he hit the ball into the net to give his opponent another chance.  But Eybers did not make the most of the advantage he was presented with and Kemp did not make the same mistake twice.

Having won both the Men’s and Women’s sets the game did not have to go into mixed doubles and Louw and Kemp are on their way to Australia.

“I compete in the Kia Amateur Australian Open even every year.  I won in 2003 and since then have managed to reach the semifinals once and was even beaten in the Final a couple of years later.  I can’t wait to play in the Kia world finals and then stay on to see the top players competing in the Kia Australian Open.  My favourite player is Roger Federer and I would like to see him in action again,” said an excited Louw.

The couple will be competing against 14 other countries in the Kia Amateur Open Tennis world finals including:  Germany, France, Netherlands, Poland, Sweden, Libya, Jordan, Nigeria, Chile, USA, Korea, Australia, New Zealand, China. All players will then experience a 4-day hospitality package including watching the Australian Open.

In addition to the Kia Amateur Australian Open tournament, Kia Motors is the major sponsor of the Australian Tennis Open – one of four Grand Slam tournaments.

“This sponsorship allows Kia the opportunity to reach many of our target market.  Whereas the players were all from Gauteng this year, next year we are looking to branch out to most of the other provinces,” said Vinola Pillay, Marketing Manager, Kia Motors.

Kemp and Louw beat Dawie Eybers and Lisa van der Riet  2 - 0 in the final.

Wessel Kemp in action in the final of the KIA Amateur Australian Open played at the University of Pretoria today (Sunday 29 November 2010).  Kemp and his partner Ronel Louw beat Dawie Eybers and Lisa van der Riet  2 - 0.

Ronel Louw in action in the final of the KIA Amateur Australian Open played at the University of Pretoria today (Sunday 29 November 2010).  Louw and her partner Wessel Kemp beat Dawie Eybers and Lisa van der Riet  2 - 0.

Wessel Kemp and Ronel Louw with the trophy after winning the KIA Amateur Australian Open played at the University of Pretoria.  

QUARTER FINAL RESULTS ON SECOND DAY OF THE KIA AMATEUR AUSTRALIAN OPEN QUALIFIER

The quarter final results are in and the winners to be announced on Sunday, 28th November, will each receive an expense paid trip for two to attend the 2011 Australian Open and represent South Africa in the 2011 KIA Amateur Australian Open World Final.

Name			Name		Tie Score	Match Scores (mixed doubles / ladies singles)
Wessel Kemp	Ronel Louw	defeat	Nico Viviers	Debbie  van Aswegan	2/0	6/3 6/2
Roland Grabe	Nicole Smith	defeat	Bradley Dores	Deborah Janssen	2/0	6/1 6/0
Dawie Eybers	Lisa van der  Riet	defeat	Uys Jordaan	Lisa Wade	2/0	6/3 6/5
Wim le Roux	Jeanna Schmidt	defeat	Danie Buys	Melrise Ungerer	2/0	6/1 6/0

For full event details please contact Lisa Wade: lisa@langazela.co.za or 082 904 1805

IT IS ALL SYSTEMS GO FOR THE KIA AMATEUR AUSTRALIAN OPEN TENNIS TOURNAMENT

The entries for the 2010 KIA Amateur Australian Open tournament happening at the University of Pretoria, Sports complex this weekend (26 – 28 November) have surpassed expectations with 96 amateur tennis players having registered (48 couples).

The event offers a unique opportunity for amateur tennis players wishing to experience competing on a world stage. The winning male and female from this coming weekend’s tournament will travel to Melbourne, Australia between January 17 and 30, 2011, and will represent South Africa at the Kia Amateur Australian Open World Finals. They will be competing against 15 other countries including:  Germany, France, Netherlands, Poland, Sweden, South Africa, Libya, Jordan, Nigeria, Chile, USA, Korea, Australia, New Zealand, China. All players will then experience a 4-day hospitality package including watching a match.

“The main objective of the tournament is to promote tennis at club level and offer amateur players the opportunity to watch professional tennis,” said Holger Losch, Tournament Director.

The KIA Amateur Australian Open national playoffs will commence on Friday, 26th November at the University of Pretoria with the round of 64. The round of 32 will be followed by 16 and then the quarter finals, on Saturday. The semis and finals will be played on Sunday, 28th November.

The KIA Amateur Australian Open was first played in South Africa in 2003 with Gauteng being the host Province. Between 2004 and 2006 the format changed and other provinces were brought in. 

LIST OF ENTRIES:

MALE	FEMALE
Marius  van Dyk	Tamzon du Plessis
Hendrik Pieterse	Jacqui Grove
Thinus Gouws	Christelle Kemp
Pieter Jordaan	Adelle Rizzo
Andries Fourie	Hendrika Botha
Bradley Brazington	Helena Mowatt
John Shaw	Elaine Nelson
Greg Buitendag	Marita de Bie
Andre Badenhorst	Joey Badenhorst
Chris Meyer	Erica Bornman
Danie Buys	Melrise Ungerer
Nico Hamman	Mariette Coetzee
Michael Martin	Stephanie Aubin
Riaan Verster	Antoinette Verster
Jacobus Mogola	Bremien Botha
Graham Young	Wendy Burdzik
Dawie Eybers	Lisa van de Riet
Leone Scheepers	Celeste Scheepers
Nico Viviers	Debbie van Aswegan
Anthony Fourie	Denise Otto
Jaco Jacobs	Elsa Kaestner
Wessel Kemp	Ronel Louw
Ettienne Steenkamp	Karen Steenkamp
Graham Griffiths	Sandra Loser
Marthinus Pienaar	Sone Ungerer
Jannie Schutte	Charelle Ungerer
Frederik Smook	Sonika Janse van Rensburg
Andrew Sethole	Wandise Jiyane
Elijah Rakomo	Nthabiseng Phala
Anton vd Venter	Lara Anderson
Teboho Mahanyele	Lebogang Mokone
Monty Motaung	Poppy Mbathani
Dundee Radebe	Ntha Mphahlele
Bradley Dore	Deborah Janssen
Danie Erasmus	Elize Bezuidenhout
Easy Peters	Hortemsia Nyamge
Theo Hendriks	Zelda Paulson
Lino Ferreira	Michelle Rademan
Andre de Lange	Huibie Wepener
Scott Leech	Tarryn Ross
Uys Jordaan	Lisa Wade
Thomas Terseer Torsaa	Marlene van Schalkwyk
Mulumba Michael	Meryl Anne Venter
Eduard Lemon	Elaine Jooste
Roland Grabe	Nicole Smit
Wim Le Roux	Jenna Schimdt
Lar Hendriks	Christa Taljaard
Jeroen van der Meer	Rose van der Meer

For full event details on the KIA Amateur Australian Open tournament, please contact:

Lisa Wade: lisa@langazela.co.za or 082 904 1805

Kia Motors serves another ace to SA Tennis Amateurs

South African tennis amateurs can once again look forward to joining their peers worldwide to compete in the 2011 Kia Amateur Australian Open world finals in Melbourne, Australia.

As the major sponsor of the Australia Open, the motor company has hosted the Kia Amateur Australian Open tournament since 2002 to give amateurs the chance to experience the thrill and excitement of the Grand Slam as well as to show their prowess on the court. 

Kia Amateur Australian Open tournaments are held in each of 16 participating countries worldwide. The best amateur players – one male and one female – from each participating country go on to compete in this non-ranking event. Not only do the Kia Australian Open competitors get to watch some of the Grand Slam action, but they also get to play their matches almost side-by-side with tennis greats – the amateur tournament is held on site during the second week of the Australian Open in Melbourne.

There is no prize so to speak – the two winners from each country win an all expenses paid trip to Australia with hospitality and the opportunity to play internationally.

“It’s a wonderful opportunity for amateurs,” comments Vinola Pillay of Kia Motors, South Africa. “What makes this tournament unique is that it is aimed at amateurs who play at club level and yet it’s linked to a major international tournament. Competitors in the Kia Amateur Australian Open get to watch and compete in world events, a major coup for any amateur.”

South African amateur players are invited to apply to compete in what is billed to be a major national playoff for their place in Melbourne, and entries close on the 21^st November 2010.

The national playoff will be held from Friday, 26^th November – Sunday, 28^th November at the University of Pretoria. The format is a set of mixed doubles followed by mens / ladies singles set and the winning team needs to win two of three sets.

Entry is open to any South African amateur tennis player over the age of 18 who is a member of a club affiliated to SATA. Participants may not at any stage have had a professional singles or doubles ranking appearing on the ATP or WTA ranking lists.  Any person who has competed in a previous Kia Amateur Australian Open cannot play again.  SA winners must be available to travel to the Australian Open between January 17 and 30, 2011. For full details on requirements enquiries can be directed to: Lisa Wade: lisa@langazela.co.za or 082 904 1805