South African number two women’s ace Mariska Venter will get a chance to avenge her loss against top seed Nalani Buob from Switzerland after they both advanced to the Soweto Open semi-finals with straight-set victories on a rainy day at Arthur Ashe Tennis Centre in Soweto on Saturday.
Venter eliminated Nonkanyiso Nyosi 6-1 6-3 while top seed Buob saw off Ntsuku Ndlovu 6-0 6-1.
Venter, the former world number 1 junior, suffered a stunning loss against Buob in the Soweto Open final last year, and will meet her again on Sunday when they slug it out for a position in the final.
The 21-year-old Venter is chasing her first title at Arthur Ashe while the 16-year-old Buob is looking to defend her title.
“Last year I was in a very emotional state after realizing that I didn’t qualify for the Rio Paralympics and did not play my best. I look forward to play Nalani again after I lost to her in the finals here last year. It is a new year and it’s been great, so I look forward to the match tomorrow,” said Venter.
Israel’s Veronica Zvik will celebrate her 31st birthday by playing in the semi-final of the Soweto Open after a straight-set victory over Wendy Hlongwane.
Zvik defeated Hlongwane 6-3 6-0 in a match which was interrupted by rain.
Former world number 27 Mabel Mankgele rounds out the final four and ensures that South Africa will have two strong women in the semi-finals, after dumping out Dipuo Molefe 6-1 6-4.
Photo 1 caption: SA no. 1 Mariska Venter beat Nonkanyiso Nyosi 6-1 6-3 on Saturday to advance to the Soweto Open semi-finals, and is looking forward to avenging an earlier loss to Swiss and tournament top seed, Nalani Buob. Photo: Reg Caldecott
Photo 2 caption: Former world number 27 Mabel Mankgele will also represent SA in the final four, after beating Dipuo Molefe 6-1 6-4. Mankgele will face Israel’s Veronica Zvik on Sunday. Photo: Reg Caldecott
With editing by gsport
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