South African top ranked women’s player and world number eight Kgothatso ‘Kg’ Montjane delivered a commanding performance to win her second Women’s Singles title at the Swiss Open, an International Tennis Federation (ITF) 1 level event, and part of the UNIQLO Wheelchair Tennis Tour at Geneva, Switzerland on Sunday.
The 28-year-old third seed, Montjane, easily disposed of the 5th-seeded Michaela Spaanstra 6-4 6-4 in the women’s singles final to claim the title and to record her first win over the Dutch player, wrapping up the match in just 88 minutes.
The 37-year-old Spaanstra, had been a strong favourite to finally get her hands on the Coupe des Mousquetaires after beating world no.7 Lucy Shuker and fourth-seed Katharina Kruger, but she was outplayed by Montjane.
Montjane downed world number four Germany’s Sabine Ellerbrock in the semifinal round in three sets to advance to the finals after Ellerbrock retired at 6-5 in the third set. The world no.8 promptly blitzed the first set 6-4, lost the second but came back 7-5 in the third to see off Ellerbrock 6-4 6-7(4) 7-5. It was the fourth time Montjane defeated the German in the 16 encounters they met.
On Saturday, Montjane and Katharina Kruger of Germany won the women doubles title against Brit’s Lucy Shuker and Sabine Ellerbrock after Ellerbrock withdrew due to wrist injury.
“I had a great tournament and I am really excited. It was an incredible atmosphere on court and I felt emotion like I never have before. I played my utmost best tennis ever,” said Montjane.
“I didn’t start off well in both sets especially in the second set, I was 4-1 down but fought back, kept my composure and won 5 games in a row to close the set,” added Montjane.
The country’s top men’s player Evans Maripa was knocked out by top seed and world no.2 Stephane Houdet 2-6 3-6 in the singles quarterfinal round.
Maripa and Montjane will now move onto Jambes, Belgium for the ITF 1 Series tournament, Belgium Open from 28 July – 01 August 2015.
Participation in events like these is made possible by the game sponsor, Airports Company South Africa who has been the major sponsor of Wheelchair Tennis South Africa (WTSA) for the past eleven years.
Double glory for Montjane at the Swiss Open
JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – APRIL 16: Kgothatso Montjane, the 5th seed of South Africa in action against Marjolein Buis (NED) in the women's quarterfinals during day 3 of the Airports Company South Africa SA Open at Ellis Park Tennis Complex on April 16, 2015 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by Reg Caldecott/Gallo Images)
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