Westdene’s aces can’t be stopped
WESTDENE – Wheelchair tennis players, Kgothatso Montjane and Evans Maripa claimed men's and women's titles at Queensland Wheelchair Tennis Open.
South African wheelchair tennis players Kgothatso Montjane and Evans Maripa started the new year on a high note.
The two local talent clinched the men’s and women’s singles titles at Queensland Wheelchair Tennis Open, which took place in Brisbane, Australia from 7 to 10 January.
Maripa overcame the odds to secure a first career win over Japan’s World Number 8 Takashi Sanada, after an outstanding duel in which he collapsed to a 1–6 loss in the first set.
The game ended in 1–6, 6–3, 7–5 in favour of Maripa, which handed him a second victory over a top-10 player, and a new career high ranking of World Number 13.
“I am extremely happy to have won the men’s singles title,” said Maripa.
“I [worked hard] in 2014 but just could not get a win. Finally, my hard work has paid off.
“My goal is to enter the World Top 10 and I now know it is within reach after beating World Number 8 Takashi Sanada. It is going to be a good year,” he said.
Montjane also ensured a brace of victories for the South African contingency in the women’s singles, albeit with less turbulence and drama.
The finals saw the first set being decided in a tie breaker against the World Number 10 Lucy Shuker of Great Britain. Montjane’s confidence soared to new levels in the second set as she rallied her way to the singles title down under with a 7–6(4), 6–2 scoreline, and in the process moved her to a Number 8 world ranking.
Montjane and Shuker buried the hatchet after their singles duel to oust Charlotte Famin of France and Katharina Kruger of Germany 63–61 in the women’s doubles, decisive round-robin contest.
“It is such an encouragement to win a tournament especially overseas, I am really very happy – I have had a difficult time in 2014 and this is just what I needed at the right time,” said Montjane.
Both Montjane and Maripa will be looking to continue with their winning streak this year.
Montjane, Maripa and Lucas Sithole are currently competing in the Sydney International Wheelchair Tennis Open which ends on 17 January.
