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Sports Reporter
DESPITE missing out on the promotional play-offs, at the ongoing Billie Jean King Cup Europe/Africa Group III in Lithuania, Zimbabwe’s captain, Fadzai Mawisire, says it was a good experience.
The Zimbabwean athletes are competing at the competition, for the first time, since their last appearance in 2008.
The country fielded a young team made up of Valeria Bhunu, Tanyaradzwa Midzi and Tadiwanashe Mauchi.
The team is led by Mawisire.
They could not proceed to the promotional play-offs, after losing two out of the three ties, from Pool E.
They first lost to Algeria 1-2, in their opening tie.
They were then beaten 1-2 by Malta.
The competition attracted 21 countries, which were grouped, into six Pools.
Only the winning teams, from the six pools, advanced to the promotional play-offs to determine the two teams, which will be promoted into Group II.
However, after losing the first two ties, Zimbabwe dismissed Kenya 3-0, in the last group game on Thursday, with Bhunu beating Cynthia Wanjala 6-0, 6-2.
She then teamed up with Mauchi for the doubles and they overpowered Roselida Asumwa and Wanjala 6-1, 6-0.
Midzi beat Alicia Owegi 6-2, 6-1, in the other singles match.
Zimbabwe played Rwanda yesterday in the play-offs for positions, and they won-3-0.
Mawisire said, as the country returns to the competition, after a 12-year absence, the main theme was to play some of the best players and get the experience, and exposure, to compete at such a level.
“I don’t think it is important, what’s important is that they are here. That, in itself, is an achievement for Zimbabwe Tennis,” she said.
“As for ability, all the girls in the team are well equipped, to compete at this level, and this will be a huge success, no matter the outcome.”
Participation in the event, which is the premier international team competition for women’s tennis, is expected to also grow the sport for female players, in the country.
“This will definitely grow the female game of Zimbabwean players,” she said.
“They now have added motivation, something to look forward to playing, as well as an awareness of standard, competing with some of the best players in the world.”
Zimbabwe will take on Kosovo, in their last match today, as the competition comes to an end.
Online Reporter