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Ngqwele Dube, Sports Correspondent
YOUNG tennis prospect, Mehluli Sibanda is positive Zimbabwe can overcome Turkey in this weekend’s Davis Cup Euro/Africa Zone Group II stage match set for Harare Sports Club.
Sibanda, who will be making his third appearance at the Davis Cup, believes with hard work Zimbabwe can overcome their Turkish opponents. The 18-year-old player said he will be utilizing his experience in the previous two events.
“It is always a good feeling to be in the Davis Cup team as Davis Cup week is the best week of the year for me. I’m looking forward to being in camp with the senior players. Having been called up twice before I think I will use my experiences to ensure I’m at my best. We are playing a tricky side, Turkey but I think if we work hard we can overcome them. I began training at the beginning of the month and I think I’m hitting the ball harder. I will be heading to Harare on Sunday (today) to meet up with the rest of the team and train with them,” said Sibanda.
Zimbabwe’s Davis Cup side is captained by Gwinyai Tongoona and also includes Takanyi Garanganga, Benjamin Lock, Mark Chigaazira and Sibanda.
After walking away with the Junior Sports Person of the Year gong last year, Sibanda said he has gained confidence from the award and expects it to show this weekend adding he wants to build on the success he achieved last year after winning two ITF circuit events held in Zimbabwe.
He revealed being part of the Davis Cup team has taught him hard work, focus and discipline pay off. Sibanda said this year he will be focusing more on Futures events and intends taking part in several tournaments in Egypt and Turkey.
“After Davis Cup, I will be heading for Egypt where I will play in several Futures tournaments as I consolidate my play and take on more opposition.
“The North African country has Futures almost every week unlike in Southern African where we have six Futures events. To keep top shape in the game, I have to keep on playing against the top opponents and be in the court frequently,” he said.
Sibanda returned from South Africa last year where he developed his game at the High Performance Centre in Pretoria. He said while his game grew during the four years he was in SA, he feels his play had stagnated and he needed a change to grow his game.— @rasmthembo
derick.khumalo