South African wheelchair tennis star and Wimbledon finalist Kgothatso Montjane became SA Spring Open champion for the second time with a superb performance against Dutch former world No.1 Jiske Griffioen in the women’s final on Saturday.
The Limpopo-born star, 35, dismantled the Dutch second seed in a 6-1, 6-4 victory to repeat her triumph of 2019 at Ellis Park Tennis Courts in Johannesburg.
Montjane enjoyed a double victory as she bagged the doubles victory with Griffioen on Friday. The South African-Dutch pair defeated Mariska Venter and Mabel Mankgele 6-1, 6-0.
“I think I really played well. The second set was very solid, and I was really composed,” said Montjane.
“The second set started very well; could have been better but obviously tennis is a game of nerves and how you respond to that is the most important part of it and I think I did well.
“It feels great. It feels great to win a title, first one of the year, and to do it at home. I think it’s just more special.
“I’m just grateful for the opportunity to come out here and compete on home soil.”
“I’m happy to have retained my title and to have come here to take part in this great tournament”
South African top seed Donald Ramphadi was not troubled one bit in the quads singles final against compatriot Danny Mohlamonyane.
Looking as dominant as can be, Ramphadi clinched the quad’s singles title by overwhelming the second-seeded Mohlamonyane 6-1, 6-0 in just 70 minutes to claim the singles trophy.
“I’m happy, it has been a very long time coming. It feels nice finally winning a tournament at home, so I’m just happy,” commented Ramphadi.
In the men’s final, the country’s leading player Evans Maripa faced off with Spanish top seed Martin de la Puente in a matchup where the Spanish world No.11 began as the favorite. However, Maripa was the one who got off to the winning start, winning the first set 6-3.
With the pressure on in set 2, De la Puente didn’t crack. The Spanish recovered from dropping the first set to win the second in a tiebreak 7-6(2) to force a deciding set.
In that third set, De la Puente simply dominated as Maripa faded away giving up consecutive breaks that cleared the path to De la Puente’s first title of 2021, winning the contest 3-6, 7-6(2), 6-1 over a heartbroken Maripa.
Combined ITF $25,000 World Tennis Tour event
The men and women’s finalists were confirmed on Saturday at Ellis Park after some scintillating semi-final clashes. All four of the athletes have done exceptionally well so far in this tournament and with one game between them and the crown, they will all be desperate to make sure they walk on to Centre Court on Sunday.
In the women’s event, Dutch fourth-seed Richel Hogenkamp battled past second seed Tessah Andrianjafitrimo 6-3, 7-6(3), 6-4 to set up a final clash with unseeded Russian Alina Charaeva.
In the men’s tournament, Michail Pervolarakis of Greece defeated defending champion and second seed Benjamin Lock of Zimbabwe 6-4, 7-6(4). Pervolarakis will face last week’s Jozi Open champion Alastair Gray of Britain for the men’s trophy.
Results
Wheelchair Tennis
Final Round
Singles
Men
1-Martin de la Puente (ESP) bt 3-Evans Maripa (RSA) 3-6, 7-6(2), 6-1
Women
1-Kgothatso Montjane (RSA) bt 2-Jiske Griffioen (NED) 6-4, 6-4
Quads
1-Donald Ramphadi (RSA) bt 2-Danny Mohlamonyane (RSA) 6-1, 6-0
Doubles
Men
1-Martin de la Puente (ESP) / Alwande Sikhosana (RSA) bt 2-Evans Maripa (RSA) / Leon Els (RSA)
Women
1-Kgothatso Montjane (RSA) / Jiske Griffioen (ESP) bt 2-Mariska Venter (RSA) / Mabel Mankgele (RSA) 6-0, 6-1
Quads
Danny Mohlamonyane / Ronewa Mudzanani (RSA) bt Michael Mahlanya / Nkosanye Nkosi (RSA) 6-0, 6-0
ITF $25,000 World Tennis Tour
Semi-final
Singles
Men
4-Michail Pervolarakis (GRE) bt 2-Benjamin Lock (ZIM) 6-4, 7-6(4)
Alastair Gray (GBR) bt 6-Mateus Alves (BRA) 6-4, 3-6
Women
Alina Charaeva (RUS) bt Eva Vedder (NED) 7-5, 6-4
4-Richel Rogenkamp (NED) bt 2-Tessah Andrianjafitrimo (FRA) 6-3, 7-6(3), 6-4