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Ellina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE’S hopeful in the South Central African Junior Circuit, Courtney Lock, found the going tough when he lost to top seed Guy Orly Iradukunda in the semi-finals yesterday at Harare Sports Club. Lock went down 3-6, 3-6 in an exciting match as he put up a spirited fight but Iradukunda of Burundi proved to be the better player of the day.
Lock said he was happy with his performance but disappointed that he could not make it into the finals.
“I think I played well and I had some chances. Obviously, I am disappointed that I couldn’t qualify for the final but I gave it my best. I just lost to a good player.
“There were a lot of tight points in the match but he got lucky in some of the crucial points but we both played well,” said Lock.
The 16-year-old, who was seeded fourth for this event, said he is now setting his eyes for the second leg starting next week at the same venue hoping that he will do better.
His opponent, Iradukunda was impressed with his performance and acknowledged that Lock had given him a good run for his money although he managed to win the match.
“The match was very tough and I am happy that I won. Courtney is a very good player and I think I really played well.
“I think the tournament has been good. Good players are playing and it’s a very good tournament and competitive,” said Iradukunda.
Iradukunda said he knows what to expect today when he takes on Ismael Mzai in the finals.
Mzai beat Lloyd Harris 6-1, 7-6 (4) in the other semi-final.
“I think it’s going to be tougher, even more than the semi-finals, so I just have to go and sleep early and eat well and get ready to fight compete and try to play my best and try to win,” said Iradukunda.
The top seed noted that the fact that they are at the same ITF centre with Lock in South Africa also helped him as he knew his type of play.
Although he lost in the singles Lock went on to win the doubles matches together with Lloyd Harris 7-6 (5), 6-3 against the pair of Iradukunda and Innocent Tidimane.
They will play against Aziz Dougaz and Gueninle Ouattara in the finals today. Dougaz and Ouattara overpowered Arie Rosenbaum and Tomer Shilo 7-6(3), 4-6, 10-8.
In the girls category Theresa Van Zyl dismissed Tessah Andrianjafitrimo 6-2, 6-3 while Ukraine’s Anna Dollar overpowered Mariana Humberg 4-6, 6-4, 6-3. Van Zyl and Dollar will fight for honours in the finals. In the doubles Van Zyl teamed up with Amelie Boy to beat Tessah Andrianjafitrimo and Rikeetha Pereira 6-3, 7-6(5) while Mariana Humberg and Melissa Laing defeated Huibre-Mare Botes and Louise-Mare Botes 7-6(5), 2-6, 10-6.
Online Reporter