Last week, Olivier, beat the accomplished John Kuhn 11-9, 11-6, 11-13, 11-6 in the final of the Free State Regional tournament to qualify for the quarter-finals.

It’s the furthest that Olivier has been able to advance in the national tournament.

Olivier told OFM Sport that all the hard work has definitely paid off.

“I’m super excited to get through to the quarter-finals of the nationals.

“It’s the first time I’ve made the top eight. I’ve had three years where I’ve reached the last 16 of the tournament

“I worked really hard during the lockdown and while everyone was sitting around on the coach I was doing hours of training and it really seems to have paid off.”

In the women’s draw, Hayley Ward will represent the Free State after she beat Izane Louw 11-4, 11-2, 11-2 in a one-sided final.

@MorganPiek OFM Sport