Magnificent Montjane wins doubles title in the USA
Wednesday 4 September, 2013. St.Louis, United States of America – Kgothatso Montjane or “KG” as most of us have come to know her, won her first Super Series title this past weekend. KG and doubles partner Jordanne Whiley (GBR) caused a major upset by defeating the top seeds, Aniek van Koot (NED) and Jiske Griffioen (NED) 6-2, 6-2 in the final of the USTA US Open, the last Super Series event on the NEC Wheelchair Tennis Tour 2013.
Montjane (RSA) and Whiley (GBR) were playing their first event together since 2011 and their third event as doubles partners. The unseeded duo of Montjane and Whiley not only clinched the title in style but were also the first couple to defeat the Dutch pair since they won the silver medal at the London 2012 Paralympics. Montjane is now also the second African player to win a Super Series title. Compatriot Lucas Sithole won the British Open singles title in July this year. Dreams like these are made a reality with the continued support from Airports Company South Africa, Wheelchair Tennis South Africa’s game sponsor.
In the women’s singles event Montjane, currently ranked no. 6 in the world, caused yet another upset by defeating the world no. 4, Marjolein Buis (NED) 7-5, 7-6 (5) in the quarter-finals. Yui Kamiji (JAP), world no. 5, was KG’s next opponent. Kamiji, also no stranger to upsets, defeated world no. 1, Sabine Ellerbrook (GER) to book her place in the semi-finals. Kamiji defeated KG in a closely contested match, 4-6, 4-6 and went on to take the women’s singles title.
Lucas Sithole, South Africa’s no. 1 quads player, currently ranked no. 3 in the world, posted comfortable victories on route to the semi-finals, where he met the world no. 1 David Wagner (USA). Sithole has defeated Wagner twice in the past six months so all eyes were on this match. Wagner, however, was the better player on the day defeating Sithole 7-6, 6-3. In the doubles event, Sithole and partner Andy Lapthorne (GBR) reached the semi-finals where they lost a closely contested match to the top seeded American duo of David Wagner and Nick Taylor 6-3, 0-6, 6-7.
These two inspirational South African Sport Stars are now off to the US Open Grand Slam in New York which will be held 5 – 8 September 2013. Let’s get behind these phenomenal athletes and show them our appreciation and support.
“KG is an inspirational woman who works hard, is dedicated and very driven. We are elated she won her first Super Series title. With the continued support of Airports Company South Africa, both KG and Lucas have prepared well, and had good results coming into the US Open Grand Slam. We are excited to see their performance on the big stage. ” said WTSA’s Manager, Karen Losch.
For more information, please contact Bianca Morkel on 083 386 4002 Fax: 086 651 6664 Email: pr@tennis.co.za. 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.