VILNIUS, June 20, 2021 (Tennis SA Press Release)

South Africa’s women tennis team finished sixth in the Billie Jean King Cup Euro/Africa Group III after being beaten by Ireland 2-1 during their 5th-6th Play-off tie in Vilnius, Luthiania on Saturday.

Lara van der Merwe lost the opening singles rubber against Celine Simunyu in an evenly contested encounter, with the Irish winning 7-6(2), 6-4 to put Ireland ahead with a 1-0 lead.

The country’s leading women’s player, Chanel Simmonds, brought the tie back to 1-1 when she beat Anna Bowtell 6-2 6-4 in the second singles match. Simmonds showcased her class and skill for the stunning victory.

However, the team’s momentum was broken when the courageous Simmonds and Van der Merwe went down in the doubles rubber. The South African pair fought hard but could not overcome their opponents, losing 6-3, 6-4 to Sophia Derivan and Shaun Heffernan.

Despite the loss, team captain Roxanne Clarke was full of praises of her charges and their buoyant display against Ireland, saying: “This was a tough loss today, but I think it was our best fight of the tournament. It’s hard to end the tournament with a loss but we will go home with lots of lessons learned. I think we are all optimistic about the future of this team.”

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South Africa finished 6th in the @BJKCup Euro/Africa Group III after losing to Ireland 2-1 during their 5th/6th Play-off tie in Vilnius today.

“This was a tough loss, but I think it was our best fight of the tournament” Captain Roxanne Clarke.

Great effort team!👊 pic.twitter.com/3v7YuJS7xG

— Tennis South Africa (@TennisSA) June 19, 2021

RESULTS

South Africa lost to Ireland 1-2

Singles

Lara van der Merwe (RSA) lost to Celine Simunyu (IRL) 7-6(2), 6-4

Chanel Simmonds (RSA) d. Anna Bowtell (IRL) 6-2 6-4

Doubles

Chanel Simmonds / Lara van der Merwe (RSA) lost to Sophia Derivan / Shaun Heffernan (IRL) 6-3, 6-4