Makayla Naidoo turned adversity into ammunition at the Growthpoint SA Junior Nationals on Friday, producing a sensational comeback to stun Northerns top seed Elzandri Janse van Rensburg in an epic U19 women’s encounter at Makers Landing.
The all-glass court at the V&A Waterfront became a pressure cooker as Naidoo, beaten earlier in the day by Brianna Robinson, found another gear when the stakes were raised.
Robinson had already survived her own five-game thriller against Naidoo, recovering from a 2-0 advantage being wiped out to prevail 11-7, 11-4, 6-11, 9-11, 11-4.
After losing focus and accuracy in the third game, Robinson steadied the ship and built an 8-3 lead in the decider.
“The main thing in those situations is to make sure you don’t panic,” she said. “I aimed to regain my focus and play a better length because Makayla can punish you if you are too loose.”
Naidoo clearly took that lesson into her next battle.
Janse van Rensburg, the Growthpoint U17 champion for the past two years, looked to have the upper hand after taking the first and third games. Naidoo refused to blink, hauling herself level before turning the decider into a one-sided demolition job.
She stormed clear and swept the final game 11-3 to complete a 7-11, 11-9, 7-11, 11-7, 11-3 victory.
It was squash served with a side of steel: relentless retrieving, crisp strokeplay and a refusal to let an earlier defeat become a millstone.
The U19 men delivered their own blockbuster as Western Province teammates Joseph Feast and Thomas Boutall traded blows in a contest where oxygen seemed optional.
Feast won 11-4 before Boutall hit back 11-9. Feast edged the third 12-10 and eventually prevailed 11-8 in the fourth after moving 9-8 ahead with a superb volley into the nick. Two stroke calls against Boutall helped settle the contest.
Top-seeded Juan-Corne Brand also survived an early scare, losing the opening game 9-11 to Eastern Province’s Benji Newman before winning three in a row to keep his title charge alive.
The national champions will be crowned on Saturday, with the final round promising another serving of high-pressure squash at Makers Landing.
