Alufeyo crowned Junior Closed tennis champion

Zvamada in the finals of the Harare Junior Closed tennis tournament at Old Hararians.
Alufeyo overcame Zvamada 6-2, 4-6, 6-2 to win the title.
The 17-year-old had beaten Tirivavi Zvamada in the semi-finals to reach the last eight.
Alufeyo was impressed with his performance in yesterday’s match.
“At first I thought I was losing it because everything was not going according to plan and in the second set I was down.
“I was making a lot of errors but I just kept the ball in the court and started attacking on the net more and it started working.
“I think I played very well and it is quite good to win,” said Alufeyo.
In the girls’ category the title went to Lara Vincent who beat Sandile Magaya 6-3, 6-0 in the finals.
Vincent had earlier on beaten Chloe Occonor 6-2, 6-3 in the semi-finals while Magaya thumped Tawakali Abibi 6-1, 6-0 in the other semi-final.
Lara said the competition was stiff and attributed her victory to determination.
“I think the competition went really well and the level of competition was high.
“All the matches I played were very tough and it was challenging but I’m someone who doesn’t give up and I had to fight to the end.
“I feel really happy because this is my first event I have played and won,” said Vincent.
Mark Chigahazira defeated Munesu Chatikobo 6-3, 6-3 to clinch the boys Under-14 title. Chigahazira had overpowered Aloosha Chikanda 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 in the semi-final.
Tariro Dembo beat Rumbidzaai Ugaro 6-4, 6-0 to be crowned champion in the girls category.
Kundai Ganjani won the title in the boys Under-12 age group when he overcame Andrew Chigahazira 7-5, 6-2 while Kimberly Bhunu outclassed 6-0, 6-0 Munashe Kaome in the girls category.
Tournament director Linsent Chitiyo said the event was a success considering that it was the inaugural event.
“The competition was really high and the matches were quite interesting we saw a lot of players getting motivated. The turnout was quite good. We had players from Marlborough High, Roosevelt and Churchill, we hardly see these guys playing.
“They actually added good competition to the tournament and there was an increased turnout in the girls section,” said Chitiyo.
The top 16 players in each age group for both the boys and girls from this tournament are scheduled to represent Harare Province in the Dunlop tournament to be held in Mutare in August.