SA’s tennis champs

WILL it be third time lucky for Kevin Anderson? And will Kgothatso Montjane win in the wheelchair event? Those two questions will be in the minds of South African tennis fans as the US Open, the final Grand Slam event of the year, starts at Flushing Meadows in New York today.

Anderson, of course, was involved in that dramatic protracted semifinal win at Wimbledon this year, before succumbing in the final to Novak Djokovic.

Last year Anderson lost the US Open final to Rafael Nadal, so he will be hoping to go one better this year by making his third final appearance – and this time winning it.

Significantly, two legends of the game, John McEnroe and Rod Laver, have both singled out Anderson as the danger man for this year’s tournament – and that can only be a great boost for his confidence.

No wonder Anderson said last week: “The experience and the confidence of last year’s tournament is very valuable. I’m just really pumped up to get out there and give myself another good shot.” O F COURSE there is a whole host of exciting young players blocking Anderson’s path, and the “big three” of the game – Nadal, Djokovic and Federer – are also going to be pushing hard to add to their vast collection of silverware.

As for Montjane, who reached the semi-finals of the wheelchair event at Wimbledon, it was heartwarming to see sponsors open their purses and come to her assistance over the past few weeks.

She has secured about R1.5 million from 10 sponsors to help fund her trip and her excitement was palpable at a function last week. “The Grand Slams are the toughest events because all the best players are there, but I am thrilled at the opportunity,” she said.

Anderson and Montjane are not the only South Africans competing in New York – 21-year-old Capetonian Lloyd Harris has qualified for his first Grand Slam tournament, and will be up against French veteran Gilles Simon in the opening round.

We hope all three South Africans have a delicious bite at the Big Apple over the next two weeks.