South Africa’s Kgothatso Montjane and Japan’s Yui Kamiji defeated Colombia’s Angelica Bernal and France’s Ksenia Chasteau 6-4, 6-3 in their women’s wheelchair doubles US Open quarter-final on Court 15 on Tuesday.
The clash lasted and hour and 20 minutes.
‘Nerves’
Despite a scoreline that looked relatively comfortable, Montjane described “feeling a little shaky at the start of the match because of nerves.”
One of the keys, according to Montjane, was that “we kept using our own strategy to try and make it work.”
Montjane described the conditions as being tough due to the heat and strong wind and that they needed “to make some adjustments”.
Montjane was bullish about her and Kamiji’s chances for the remainder of the tournament.
“We are one of the strongest teams even though we are unseeded. We just need to get that chemistry back after not playing together since Wimbledon, where we didn’t do very well.”
‘Praise for her partner’
Montjane admitted that there is still some work to be done.
“It’s touch and go for us, but I feel like we will find each other as we know each other’s game so well.”
She was also effusive in her praise of playing partner.
“I love how fast she is around the court. She is so good in taking the ball early. Her movement is just the best for me. She covers the court really well.
“When I am pulled wide on the court, I have confidence that she will be able to cover me. I also like her flat ball when she is aggressive with the forehand.
“I also love the amount of topspin she puts on her shots.”
Friends off court
One area that Montjane would like more from Kamiji “is to move more into the net because her hands are so fast. I would like her to leave the baseline for me and she can handle the net.
“She’s an allrounder. Defensive. Offensive.”
Montjane not only enjoys playing with Kamiji, but she also enjoys spending time with her off the court.
“She is my friend. Off court we get along really well. What makes us work, is our relationship off the court. I think our friendship helps to pick each other up in the low moments on court.
“We understand each other very well on a personal level.”
Montjane expanded on their relationship.
“Even though we come from different cultures, we both have various traditions that we understand about each other. It helps us to click.”
‘Kind and respectful’
Montjane visited Japan and she was shown around the country by Kamiji.
“I loved the country but not the food! The people are so kind and respectful. I met her parents. She showed me around.
“Despite the food, Japan is a very beautiful country, and the people are super, super nice.”
Montjane is looking forward to returning the favour when Kamiji visits her in South Africa.
“She has only travelled to South Africa as a child, so I’m looking forward to her coming to visit as an adult, so I can show her around like she showed me around in Japan.
“I’ll happily show her around somewhere else in Africa. Maybe Tanzania. So that we can unwind away from tennis.
“If she came to South Africa, I would show her Kruger National Park and take her to the Cape Town as she loves the water. I would like her to see the two sides of South Africa.
“It’s so beautiful in so many ways. There are so many things to see and to learn about.”
Montjane is “ready” for her singles match on Wednesday and she revealed that she’ll also be prepared for their doubles’ opponents on Thursday.
“What’s left is for me to really show up tomorrow and put into practice what I’ve been working on. The improvements that I’ve been working on since Wimbledon.
“I want to be able to show up and compete.”
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