JOHANNESBURG, September 25, 2021 (Tennis South Africa Press Release)
The men and women’s finalists of the SA Spring Open ITF World Tennis Tour combined event were confirmed on Saturday at Ellis Park Tennis Courts in Johannesburg after some scintillating semi-final clashes.
In the men’s tournament, Michail Pervolarakis of Greece defeated defending champion and second seed Benjamin Lock of Zimbabwe 6-4, 7-6(4). Pervolarakis will face last week’s Jozi Open champion Alastair Gray of Britain for the men’s trophy.
The 23-year-old defeated No. 6 seed Mateus Alves from Brazil 6-4, 3-6, 6-2. Gray is seeking his second title on the Pro Circuit. Gray won the only previous meeting between the two at Waco, Texas four years ago.
In the women’s event, Dutch fourth-seed Richel Hogenkamp battled past second seed Tessah Andrianjafitrimo of France 6-3, 7-6(3), 6-4 to set up a final clash with unseeded Russian Alina Charaeva.
Montjane wins wheelchair tennis event
South African wheelchair tennis star and Wimbledon finalist Kgothatso Montjane became SA Spring Open champion for the second time with a superb performance against Dutch former World No. 1 Jiske Griffioen in the women’s final.
The Limpopo-born star, 35, dismantled the Dutch second seed in a 6-1, 6-4 victory to repeat her triumph of 2019 at Ellis Park Tennis Courts in Johannesburg.
Montjane enjoyed a double victory as she bagged the doubles victory with Griffioen on Friday. The South African-Dutch pair defeated Mariska Venter and Mabel Mankgele 6-1, 6-0.
“I think I really played well. The second set was very solid, and I was really composed,” said Montjane. “The second set started very well; could have been better but obviously tennis is a game of nerves and how you respond to that is the most important part of it and I think I did well.
“It feels great. It feels great to win a title, first one of the year, and to do it at home. I think it’s just more special.
“I’m just grateful for the opportunity to come out here and compete on home soil.”
“I’m happy to have retained my title and to have come here to take part in this great tournament.”
Wheelchair Tennis Finals! 🤩🎾 South Africans, @Evansmaripa and @KgothatsoMontj1 will be contesting the men’s and women’s singles FINALS against international opposition.
📺 – @SuperSportTV 207 / Vision View TV
⏰ – 10am#SASpringOpen #SASO2021#SpringtimeTennis #Tennis4All pic.twitter.com/2NshtMsRFC— SA SPRING OPEN 2021 (@SASpring_Open) September 25, 2021
Results
Wheelchair Tennis
Final Round Singles Men
1-Martin de la Puente (ESP) bt 3-Evans Maripa (RSA) 3-6, 7-6(2), 6-1
Women
1-Kgothatso Montjane (RSA) bt 2-Jiske Griffioen (NED) 6-4, 6-4
Quads
1-Donald Ramphadi (RSA) bt 2-Danny Mohlamonyane (RSA) 6-1, 6-0
Doubles Men
1-Martin de la Puente (ESP) / Alwande Sikhosana (RSA) bt 2-Evans Maripa (RSA) / Leon Els (RSA)
Women
1-Kgothatso Montjane (RSA) / Jiske Griffioen (ESP) bt 2-Mariska Venter (RSA) / Mabel Mankgele (RSA) 6-0, 6-1
Quads
Danny Mohlamonyane / Ronewa Mudzanani (RSA) bt Michael Mahlanya / Nkosanye Nkosi (RSA) 6-0, 6-0
ITF $25,000 World Tennis Tour
Semi-final Singles Men
4-Michail Pervolarakis (GRE) bt 2-Benjamin Lock (ZIM) 6-4, 7-6(4)
Alastair Gray (GBR) bt 6-Mateus Alves (BRA) 6-4, 3-6, 6-2
Women
Alina Charaeva (RUS) bt Eva Vedder (NED) 7-5, 6-4
4-Richel Rogenkamp (NED) bt 2-Tessah Andrianjafitrimo (FRA) 6-3, 7-6(3), 6-4
