Gauteng highlights: SA’s top wheelchair players hold their own.
South Africa Gauteng Open once again proved to be a success.
THE top South African wheelchair players had their party spoiled by their overseas counterparts.
American David Wagner took his third, Dutch player Marjolein Buis her second and Joachim Gerard from Belgium his first victory on South African soil, while the country’s top wheelchair tennis aces,Kgothatso ‘KG’ Montjane and Lucas Sithole, came up short in the finals of the Airports Company South Africa Gauteng Open on Sunday April 12.
World number one Wagner beat world number four Sithole 6-3 6-1 to claim his third successive quad singles title at the Gauteng East Tennis Centre in Benoni.
The American immediately blamed the fantastic South African hospitality for Sithole’s loss.
“I feel fortunate that I was able to pull that one out. Lucas is a world-class player and a wonderful strong champion in our division. He is always going to test you, like he did in the final, no matter who you are. I know he took some time out last year, so he will need a few matches to get back on form, but he improved in every match this week.
“He will be a strong contender in the Airports Company South Africa SA Open at Ellis Park.”
World number six Buis defeated Montjane 6-4 6-1 in the women’s singles final.
The former Airports Company South Africa SA Open champion was delighted with her performance, but admitted that Montjane had her worried in the opening set.
“I was having trouble returning KG’s serve, and I wasn’t putting any pressure on her in the first set and she broke me twice,” Buis said.
Montjane did not leave empty-handed, though. Just an hour after her singles final loss, Montjane partnered Buis to victory in the women’s doubles final. They whipped Sabine Ellerbrock and Katherina Kruger, Germany, 6-0 6-2.
Gerard took just 52 minutes to beat Frenchman Nicolas Peifer 6-2 6-1 for the men’s singles title.
