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THE Zimbabwe tennis team at the ongoing African Games in Congo Brazzaville met with mixed fortunes with some of the players bowing out of the competition in the early stages of the event.
Zimbabwe is being represented by Martin Dzuwa, who is doubling as player/coach, and Mark Fynn in the men’s competition. The the trio of Valeria Bhunu, Pauline Chawafambira and Rufaro Chirewa are participating in the girls section.
However, most of the players found the going tough in the early stages of the event with Fynn and Bhunu being the only players who reached the quarter-finals in their respective categories.
Fynn, seeded first at the Games, had a bye in the first round before beating Sarma Nkulufa 6-2, 6-3 in the second round. The Davis Cup team member then prevailed 6-0, 6-3 over Ghana’s Wisdon Na-Adjrago to progress to the quarter-finals set for yesterday.
Bhunu also made it to the quarter-finals when she beat Nancy Onya 6-0, 6-0 and Annabelle Osombi 6-0, 6-2 in the second and third round. Bhunu was scheduled to take on Dona Abohabaga of Egypt.
Dzuwa was defeated 6-4, 5-7, 1-6 by Rwanda’s Dieudonne Habiyambere in the first round.
It was the same story for Chawafambira as she lost to Shufaa Ruwa of Kenya 2-6, 0-6 in the second round. Chawafambira, seeded seventh, had a bye in the first round but the competition proved to be tough for her when she was defeated by Ruwa.
Chawafambira was joined by Chirewa, who went down 4-6, 3-6 to sixth seed Elizabeth Pam of Nigeria in the third round, denying her a place in the quarter-finals.
Chawafambira was set to join Bhunu for the doubles quarter-finals after overpowering the pair of Grace Denga and Annabelle Ossombi 6-1, 7-5.
Zimbabwe were initially hoping to field seven players, including Takanyi Garanganga, the Lock brothers – Benjamin and Courtney.
However, Benjamin and Courtney, who are based in the United States, could not make it for the Games due to College commitments.
Garanganga, who is Zimbabwe’s top player, pulled out towards the Games due to an injury leaving Zimbabwe with just four players and Dzuwa had to double as a coach and player.
Online Reporter