adminTafadzwa Nyakudanga Sports Correspondent
ZIMBABWE tennis players had a bad day in the office yesterday at the ongoing International Tennis Federation Twenty Third Century Systems tournament as two of them crashed out in their backyard.Tinotenda Chanakira lost in straight sets 3-6, 2-6 to sixth-seed Frenchman, Gregoirre Barrere, at Harare Sports Club.
Barrere hit six aces in the first set.
“I played a very good first set today, second set not as well but it was a good match. I had fun out there and the guy (Barrere) is a very good player,” said Chanakira.
“I will try and build on it (the performance) for next week and, hopefully, can take it one step further.”
Chanakira was punished for a number of unforced errors.
Veteran Martin Dzuwa was no match for South Africa’s Tucker Voster as he crashed to a 2-6, 0-6 defeat.
Vorster, the third seed, eased to victory in just 48 minutes, dominating the match with his powerful serves.
Dzuwa concended defeat.
“The guy was serving big and I could not also hold my serve. He is ranked in the top 400 in the world,” said Dzuwa. “I gave it my all but at the end of the day he was better than me.
“I just have to practice the whole week and wait for the next tournament.”
Top seed Boy Westerhof had to sweat for his victory.
It took him three sets to beat South Africa’s Kris Van Wyk 5-7, 6-4, 6-4.
Van Wyk committed 16 double faults and that proved costly.
Another South African, fifth seed Nicolaas Scholtz beat fellow his countryman Lance Cohen 7-5, 6-2.
Keith-Patrick Crowley, of South Africa, beat David Chaplefeh Forchap from Germany in straight sets 6-1, 6-4. Antal Van Der Duim from Netherlands thrashed the American Jordan Dyke 6-0, 6-1.
Online Reporter