South Africa’s top wheelchair tennis athletes, Kgothatso ‘KG’ Montjane and Evans Maripa, returned from a two-tournament tour in the US.
Both Montjane and Maripa recently competed in the Pensacola and Cajun Classic Open. The highlights included world number nine women’s player, Montjane reaching the quarterfinals in both tournaments.
She lost to the third seed Marjolein Buis of the Netherlands 4-6 1-6 in the 12 Annual Pensacola Open and in the Cajun Classic Open, Montjane was eliminated in the quarterfinal round by world number four Sabine Ellerbrock of Germany 4-6 4-6.
The SA Number One men’s player, Maripa, was also knocked out in the quarterfinal round of the ITF 1 Pensacola Open event by world number seven Maikel Scheffers. Scheffers, who was the runner-up in the men singles event, eliminated Maripa 6-0 6-1. In the Cajun Classic Open – an ITF 1 event – Maripa was taken out by Belgium’s Joachim Gerard, 6-0 6-0.
Although a disappointing performance for both Montjane and Maripa, they were not knocked out by their rivals, but by players who hold top world ranking positions.
South Africa’s number one player, the 25-year-old Maripa, went on to play the doubles with partner Marc McCarroll (UK) in the Cajun Classic Open, and reached the semi-finals, but lost to second seed Michael Jeremiasz and Nicolas Peifer 0-6 3-6.
The two ITF 1 events were warmup tournaments for Montjane and Maripa, in preparation for this month’s two top-flight domestic tournaments, starting with the Airports Company South Africa Gauteng Open, which will take place from April 8 to 12 at the Benoni Tennis Club.
Following the ITF 1 event, they will participate in the highly anticipated Airports Company South Africa SA Open Super Series event to be staged at Ellis Park Tennis Stadium from April 14 to 18.
Montjane said both tournaments were very important to them going into home events next month, where they hope to perform well.
“Despite the results, it was good to play a few competitive matches before home tournaments, and we look forward to some great action at home.”
