WTSA
South Africa’s top women’s wheelchair tennis star, Kgothatso Montjane added another title to her name when she won the doubles event at the 25th annual Cajun Classic Wheelchair Tennis Tournament, an ITF Grade 1 event that took place from 19-23 March 2014 at the Lamar Tennis Centre in Baton Rouge, LA, USA.
Top seeds Kgothatso Montjane and doubles partner Jordanne Whiley (GBR) had comfortable wins over their oponants to reach the semi finals where they faced the fourth seed duo of Jiske Griffioen (NED) and F. Mardones (CHI), defeating them 7-5, 6-0. Montjane and Whiley were playing their 2nd event together after winning the USTA US Open Super Series last year September 2013.
The women’s doubles final between Montjane and Whiley versus Ellerbrock (GER) and Shuker (GBR) proved to be the match of the tournament, with Montjane and Whiley eventually claiming the title 7-6(3), 3-6, 11-9. Montjane and Whiley proved yet again they are a doubles combination to be reckoned with.
In the open singles event Kgothatso Montjane reached the quarter finals where she lost to Marjolein Buis (NED) 6-1, 3-6, 6-2. South Africa’s no.1 mens player, Evans Maripa won his first match against Larry Keeter (USA) 6-1, 6-0 to face world no 8 T Miki (JPN). Maripa played focused tennis, and showed why he is considered as one of the most talented players on the tour. After a slow start he took Miki to a close three set match, eventually losing 6-0, 6-7 (2), 7-5.
Montjane says, “I am happy with the doubles win and have seen where I need to concentrate on in my singles game. I look forward to the Pensacola Open in a few days.”
Through the support from Airports Company South Africa, Kg Montjane and Evans Maripa will be taking part in the Pensacola Open 26-30 March after which they will return to South Africa to prepare for the two events we are hosting – the Airports Company South Africa Gauteng Open 23-27 April, and the Airports Company South Africa SA Open 29 April – 3 May.
SA Sports Awards Coach of the Year 2013; Holger Losch said: “I am elated and proud of Kg’s doubles win. Kg and Evans are taking away as much as they can from these tournaments, in preparation for the upcoming Super Series in South Africa.”
Participation in local and international tournaments such as these is made possible by the generous sponsorships offered by Airports Company South Africa, the official sponsor of the sport.
For more information, please contact Bianca Morkel on or Siyabulela Nkachela on . Other resources worth a visit include: www.tennis.co.za; or join our Facebook page and group: Wheelchair Tennis SA and follow us on Twitter: @WCTennis.
