CAPE TOWN – Wheelchair tennis star Kgothatso Montjane, the first black South African woman to compete at Wimbledon, defeated Katharina Kruger of Germany 6-3 2-6 6-1 in Thursday's quarterfinals of the ladies wheelchair singles.
The 32-year-old Montjane from Seshego in Limpopo received a wildcard into the draw and is No 8 world ranked. She was up against her 28-year-old doubles partner Kruger, the world No 6.
She wrapped up the match after only 80 minutes.
“I am very happy that I won today’s match against Katharina Kruger, it was a nerve-racking match and got me very shaky when I lost the second set,” Montjane said afterwards.
“After the second set loss, I managed to get my momentum back and dominated the set to finally close it 6-1. I am extremely excited about the way I am playing at the moment and I am just letting this sink in then will focus on the next match.”
Congratulations Kgothatso Montjane, South Africa’s first black woman wheelchair tennis player to play and win her 1st match on her debut participation at Wimbledon 2018! She beat a higher ranked opponent.
Now into the Wimbledon semi’s pic.twitter.com/0CVFG6vh9M https://t.co/pw6YhxYuO0
— UK in South Africa (@ukinsouthafrica) July 13, 2018
Wimbledon debutante Montjane will now face world No 1 and reigning champion Diede de Groot of the Netherlands on Friday for a place in the final.
On Thursday, De Groot edged out Germany’s Sabine Ellerbrock in straight sets 6-4 6-3.
South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa tweeted his congratulations on Thursday:
Congratulations to Kevin Anderson for reaching the men’s singles semi-finals and to Raven Klaasen for reaching the men’s doubles semi-finals at #Wimbledon. All the best to Kgothatso Montjane who’s going to become first SA black woman to play at Wimbledon. We are proud of you all. pic.twitter.com/hVW9CZKIiG
— President Cyril Ramaphosa (@CyrilRamaphosa) July 12, 2018