SECOND seeded Rodney Durbach (27), from Western Province, lifted his first national title in devastating fashion when he outplayed defending champion and top seed Glenn Whittaker in the Liberty Championships at the Wanderers Club on Sunday. Talented Durbach, a former Pretoria High School scholar, took control in the first game racing through 9-3 in 10 minutes, but eight unforced errors allowed Whittaker, winner of the title in 1995,1996, and 1998 to win the second game 9-4. The third game started off at a hectic pace with Whittaker receiving a conduct warning for unnecessary physical conduct. Accurate placings and killing volleys gave Durbach the edge as he pocketed the third game 9-2. They continued at a fast and furious pace with both players unleashing attacking tight hard strokes and volleys together with killing drops. Durbach took the match on a hotly contested 10-8 game, to the delight of the crowd.