South Africa’s wheelchair Tennis star Kgothatso Montjane and her partner Yui Kamiji of Japan defended their doubles title at the Japan Open, one of the most iconic tournaments on the UNIQLO Wheelchair Tennis Tour in Iizuka, Japan, from 9-14 April, 2024.
The dynamic duo cruised past Saki Takamuro and Aniek van Koot 6-0 6-1 in the final bringing the top seeds their fourth Super Series title and second successive Japan Open title together.
The Japan Open, currently the third Super Series tournament of the year and one of the most iconic tournaments on the UNIQLO Wheelchair Tennis Tour, this year celebrates 40 years since its first edition.
In the tournament’s singles championship, Montjane’s partner Yui Kamiji – currently ranked World No. 2, stretched her record as the most successful women’s singles champion at the Japan Open to seven titles since 2013, as she battled back from a set down to beat third seed Aniek van Koot 2-6 6-1 6-0 after an hour and 43 minutes, to win the women’s singles final.
It was van Koot’s first Super Series final since the 2022 Cajun Classic.
Montjane’s year has been consistently successful, in February 2024, she alongside Mariska Venter won the women’s title at the BNP Paribas World Team Cup Africa Qualification Event in Abuja, Nigeria.
Before that, KG and Yui finished as runners-up in the 2024 Australian Open Women’s Wheelchair Doubles final.
In the individual rankings, Kamiji occupies 2nd in the world while Montjane is 7th and as a partnership they sit at the summit of the women’s doubles rankings.
This year’s event holds special significance as it marks four decades of excellence in wheelchair tennis. Established in 1985, the Japan Open has seen numerous legendary players grace its courts. Past champions include Daniela di Toro, who holds the record for most women’s singles titles (6).
The tournament achieved Super Series status in 2004, solidifying its place among the top wheelchair tennis events globally.
2018 marked another milestone for the tournament with the introduction of the Emperor’s Cup and Empress’s Cup awarded to the men’s and women’s singles champions, respectively. This prestigious recognition highlighted the Japan Open’s standing as a premier sporting event.
Main Photo Caption: African wheelchair tennis ace Kgothatso Montjane and her doubles partner, Yui Kamiji, pictured smiling after defending their Japan Open Championship title, won after the pair beat Saki Takamuro and Aniek van Koot 6-0 6-1 in the UNIQLO Wheelchair Tennis Tour in Iizuka, Japan, from 9-14 April, 2024. Photo: Optimize Agency on X
Photo 2 Caption: Montjane’s doubles partner, Yui Kamiji, pictured in action on her way to another singles title, at the 2024 Japan Open. Photo: Japan Open 2024
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