At just 18 years old, Awande Malinga, the top player for CBC’s women’s team, made her debut in the final at the Harlequins PSA Satellite in Pretoria on April 21, 2024. Ranked 4th, her path to the top was filled with hurdles. She breezed through her early matches against Elzandri Janse van Rensburg and Bongi Seroto with comfortable 3-0 wins, but her real challenge came in the semifinals against the formidable Kimberly McDonald. Having recently lost to Kimberly in the Northerns Ladies League, Awande summoned all her determination. In an intense match lasting 54 minutes, she emerged victorious with a 3-1 win, earning her spot in her first PSA Final against the experienced Alexa Pienaar.
Awande expressed her excitement at reaching her first final after two years of hard work and dedication. She felt immensely satisfied to see her efforts pay off in such a significant way. Right from the start, Awande applied relentless pressure on Alexa, showcasing her skills and taking the first set 11-8. However, Alexa adjusted her tactics, minimizing mistakes to take control and win the next three sets, ultimately claiming the coveted Ladies title.
Looking back on her preparation, Awande stressed her focus on readiness and improvement rather than rankings. She trained hard, both physically and strategically, to fine-tune her game. This weekend’s tournament was a valuable learning experience for her, teaching her important lessons about mental toughness, adaptability, and perseverance in the face of challenges.
With her sights set on the future, Awande eagerly awaits the upcoming NSA PSA Satellite tournament, ready to build on her recent success and chase her first championship title with renewed determination.
To see the rest of the results from the tournament, please click here.
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