Lock in super show

Ellina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
BENJAMIN Lock put up a brilliant performance yesterday to pull through to the semi-finals of the Old Mutual ITF Futures Series tennis tournament when he beat second seed Nicolaas Scholtz at Harare Sports Club. Lock is the only Zimbabwean still in the run for the singles title following his 6-3, 6-4 victory over South Africa’s Scholtz in a tightly contested match that lasted almost two hours. Seeded eighth, Lock will take on third seed Hugo Nys from France in today’s semi-finals. Nys defeated United States’ Mitchell Frank 7-6 (2), 7-5 in the other semi-final.

“I think that was the only point in the match where I let my emotions get the better of me. I got a little frustrated and the minute I did that I opened the door for him and he took his chance.

“So, I just knew if I just settle down and was mentally strong again I could break him back. So it was a tough second set, but I did well in the end. “I thought it was a tough game, really difficult conditions, cold and windy and it’s really hard to play the perfect tennis that you want to play.

“But I had set my tactics throughout the match and I thought I was really strong mentally.

“I kept myself in the game and I returned really well today. I think that was the big difference because he has got a really good serve. But I was on my return today and I stepped up at the big moments and took my chance. So, tough game, but I am happy to get through to the semi-finals,” said Lock.

The 23-year-old said having played some good tennis this year, he was optimistic of a good result.

“I have been playing really good tennis this whole year and I have had some big wins in January. And then I didn’t have any for a while, so I was just waiting for that big win to come through and I knew I was playing well. So it was just a matter of time and today I got the job done.

“Meanwhile, mentally you just got to go out there and believe that you can beat anyone on the court. And I am just really happy to be in the semi-finals,” said Lock.

In the doubles encounter Benjamin and his brother Courtney overpowered Franco Feitt and Mark Fynn 6-3, 5-7, (10-8) to proceed to today’s finals. They will fight for honours against the pair of Nys and Andrea Vavassori in what promises to be an interesting match.