Chronicle EditorEllina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
THIRD seed in the boys 16 and 18 age-group of the Zimbabwe Closed Andrew Kunaka emerged the winner when he beat Richard Ngwarwi in yesterday’s final at Harare Sports Club.Kunaka overpowered Ngwarwi 7-6(4), 0-6, 7-5 to claim the title in a closely-contested tie that could have gone either way.
Both players had a good day on the court but Kunaka proved to be the better player.
“It was a bit tough because I played that guy in the last tournament and I lost, so I had much pressure,” said Kunaka.
“I played guys who are older than me and I beat them. I am only 15 and so, for me, it’s a good achievement. Playing in this age-group gives me more competition.
“I was making a lot of unforced errors but I adjusted and it’s a great achievement for me winning an Under-18 tournament,”
In the girls section, top seed Tariro Dembo powered to a 6-2, 6-2 victory over Tanyaradzwa Magunje to defend her title for the second consecutive year. United States-based Dembo said participating in the tournament was a good experience and she was now preparing for the ITF 18-and-Under events pencilled for the first three weeks of August.
“It was a good tournament, people were making good calls and they played their best and I played my best. I am happy that I won.
“I will stay for the ITFs and see how my play is when I am playing ITFs compared to playing local tournaments. I will see how my play has improved, so I am going back to practice for those tournaments,” said Dembo.
In the boys Under-14, Valentine Munyawiri beat Anesu Kwirirai 3-6, 6-3, 7-5 while the girls title went to Nandi Munyulwa, who beat Natalia Antkowiak.
Antkowiak retired in the first set with Munyulwa leading 4-1 due to a shoulder injury.
Munyawiri and Munyulwa will attend a training camp and ITF tournament in Botswana early next month for their efforts.
They will be joined by the losing finalists, Kwirirai and Antkowiak.
Ethan Sibanda was the winner in the boys Under-12 after defeating Taona Muhwandagara 6-1, 6-2.
Claire Machisa claimed the girls title when she dismissed Tsitsi Mahere 6-2, 6-4 in the finals.
The Under-12 winners and finalists will also attend the training camp in Botswana and the tournament as well.
Under-10 winners
Boys
Red Ball: Taida Chinamo
Orange Ball: Tanatswa Kalima.
Green Ball: Evan Bala.
Girls
Red Ball: Tapiwa Mazivanhanga.
Orange Ball: Tanyaradzwa Midzi.
Green Ball: Tanatswa Tanyongana.
Online Reporter