Top seeds will clash in the finals of the Airports Company South Africa Soweto Open at Arthur Ashe Tennis Centre in Soweto on Monday after they emerged victorious in the semi-final round on Sunday.
Men’s top seed and defending champion Leon Els crushed Austria’s Nico Langmann 6-2 7-5 to reach the finals of the Soweto Open in intimidating fashion.
South African Els, a two-time winner at Arthur Ashe, eliminated Langmann to set up a final clash against second seed Keegan Oh-Chee of Australia, a repeat of last week men’s final in Pretoria. The 27-year old said he is primed to take on Oh-Chee to strengthen his bid for a third consecutive title in Soweto. “I have played my best so far in the tournament and working on improving my game every day. I played Keegan last week in the final of the Airports Company South Africa Pretoria Open and I know it is not going to be an easy match but I am confident and strongly believe that I will take this title again. Keegan is a good friend of mine and I have huge respect for him”.
“I definitely felt more in control, and I felt I had to be again, going up against a player who plays well,” said Els, who is seeking a third men’s singles title in Jabavu.
Oh–Chee defeated fourth seed Amir Levi of Israel in straight sets 6-3 6-1 to advance to the finals.
Ermelo’s Mariska Venter put on a masterclass performance in the women’s singles semi-finals to topple third seed country-girl Thando Hlatswayo.
The top seed whipped the Durbanite 6-3 6-1 and will meet reigning Pretoria Open champion Christine Schoenn from France in the final after the second-seed French lady defeated fourth-seed South African Rose Van Der Meer 6-2 6-2. The former world number one junior will have a chance to turn the tables on last week’s Airports Company South Africa Pretoria Open winner Schoenn when they meet on Monday.
In the quads division, top seed and defending champion Bongani Dlamini downed Jeffrey Yates in straight sets 6-4 6-4 to also strengthen his bid for another title. Dlamini will go against second-seed Danny Mohlamonyane who demolished Ronewa Mudzanani 6-2 6-4.
The country’s top juniors, Alwande Skhosana and Nokwanda Hlongwane also advanced to the finals in the boys and girls singles respectively. Skhosana will meet Mncedi Zenani while Hlongwane take on Asive Gilifilein in tomorrow’s finals.
Top seeds strolls into Soweto Open Finals
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