Irigaray and Spotto seal fourth Summer Slam title in Plettenberg Bay
After sixteen days of riveting beach tennis action, which saw over 100 players from over 19 countries, the second edition of the KIA Summer Slam Beach Tennis Tour came to an apex at the Central Beach in Plettenberg Bay on Saturday.
Seventh seeds Theo Irigaray of France and partner Mattia Spoto of Italy on Saturday earned their fourth KIA Summer Slam Beach Tennis Tour crown in a gripping three-set final against third seeds Nikita Burmakin of Russia and Tommaso Giovannini of Italy, making the French-Italian pair the first to bag more than two titles.
Irigaray and Spoto overcame their Russia-Italian rivals 7-5 2-6 6-3 in over an hour and 30 minutes to clinch the title.
“It was an amazing final,” the 26-year-old Irigaray said as he received the trophy. “This is both our first biggest victory so far in our careers.
“This victory is so important to us, especially as the match became more and more difficult. We had the best experience in South Africa and hope to come back in 2020.”
Italian top seeds Flaminia Daina and Giulia Gasparri won their second women’s doubles title on their first visit to South Africa.
The 2015 World Beach Tennis champions are leaving South Africa with their second doubles title in the bag after winning the two back-to-back tournaments in Plettenberg Bay.
The Italians needed 63 minutes, to dispatch the No.3 seeds, compatriot Nicole Nobile and Ninny Valentini, 6-4, 6-3.
“Year two of the KIA Summer Slam Beach Tennis Tour proved to be a huge success once again," said KIA Summer Slam Beach Tennis Tour Director, Iain Smith. "The tour attracted lots more of the world’s best players this year who showcased world class beach tennis here in South Africa.
“The tour is not only about taking the sport to the people but also to teach youngsters how to play, so locals were treated to some clinics by some of the best in the world, with the intention that this will serve as a catalyst for growth in South Africa.
“A big thank you to event sponsor KIA Motors South Africa for their generous sponsorship, players, officials and volunteers for making the circuit possible."
The 2019 circuit saw a number of ITF world champions and gold medalists from the ANOC World Beach Games participating on the circuit, which shows how the strength of the circuit has improved in stature from 2018 with both men and women divisions having the top 6 in the world competing and a number of top 20 players alongside them.