Lock in quarters

one-sided affair at Harare Sports Club yesterday.
Lock won 6-1, 6-2 to book a place in the last eight and will now meet former top player Genius Chidzikwe who overpowered Terrence Mazungaire 6-1, 6-3. The defending champion will be hoping to continue with his good run. However, his opponent, Chidzikwe who is now into coaching said he is raring to go and knows what to expect in today’s match after beating fellow coach Mazungaire yesterday.
“I played a little better than the day before, experience was a bit on my side. It’s a tough match tomorrow Benji being last year’s winner and an upcoming player but I am going to give him a good run for his money.
“I am just playing for fun and not having pressure on myself, for me it’s guns out. I am just going to play and try to win,” said Chidzikwe.
Chidzikwe was impressed with the level of competition as he said it shows that there is progress being made in the development of the sport at national level.
“I haven’t played in the Zimbabwe Open for five to six years and it’s good to be back playing. I think this is the best field of players we have had over a long time, the likes of Benji and Mlandeli. I hope from this it keeps getting better.
“For us guys in coaching what we have to do is look out for those young players. The last time I played here the first couple rounds were fairly easy and we got real testing in the semi-finals and the finals but we have been getting good matches in the round of 16 in this tournament,” said Chidzikwe.
Top seed Takanyi Garanganga booked his place in the quarter-finals when he outclassed Johannes Artzinger 6-0, 6-1. He will take on Botswana’s Phenyo Matong today. Malcolm Mutungamiri also made it into the last eight when he defeated Julius Taulo from Malawi 6-1, 6-2 and he has a date against Gwinyai Chingoka.
Mlandeli Ndlela beat Nathan Hook 6-2, 6-1 and will clash with Martin Dzuwa who overpowered Ronzai Saurombe 6-3, 3-6, 6-3.
In the women’s category, defending champion Valeria Bhunu outclassed Wendy Rudhu 6-1, 6-0. Bhunu, who had a bye on Tuesday, will meet Latifah Yasini in today’s quarter-finals while second seed Pauline Chawafambira takes on Cynthia Sibanda. Chawafambira beat Rumbidzai Ugaro 6-4, 6-0.