It was a bittersweet day on Monday for South Africa's Kgothatso Montjane at the Australian Open as she reached the doubles final but lost in the singles semi-final at Melbourne Park.
SA's leading women's ace Montjane fell 6-1 5-7 6-0 in the semi-finals to Japanese world number 2 Yui Kamiji, and ruined any chance of reaching her her first Grand Slam singles title.
After falling 1-6 behind in the first set scoreline, the 34-year-old Montjane clawed her way back from 2-4 in the second set before clinching the set 7-5.
An indifferent third set ensued with Kamiji breaking a powerful Montjane serve thrice and hung on to her serves to win the third set.
Montjane battled until the bitter end as her opponent completed the win in 1 hour and 47 minutes to put away the world number 6.
However in the doubles semi-final, Montjane joined her British partner Lucy Shuker to defeat Angelica Bernal of Colombia and Chilean Macarena Cabriliana 6-1, 6-4 in 71 minutes to reach her second grand slam doubles final.
Montjane took to Twitter, admitting she had "mixed emotions" but stated that she moves on and will learn each time she plays.
The South African-British pair will next face Dutch top seeds Aniek van Koot and Diede de Groot for a title decider on Tuesday.
Quiet a mixed emotions day, hoped for a double final but only got one, but we move.
— Kgothatso Montjane (@KGmontjane1) February 15, 2021
I learn each time I play at the biggest stage. pic.twitter.com/BdcEyLExPM
