adminUnder-14, Under-16 and Under-18 age groups for both boys and girls.
Picci was barely troubled as he dismissed Namanya 6-3, 6-0 to win the title.
Earlier on Picci had won all his three matches that were played on a round robin basis as there were only two other participants in his age-group.
Although he was happy to claim the title, the 17-year-old Picci felt that there is need for more players to take part in such tournaments to create more competition among players.
“It was well organised but there were very few participants. The final match I played was a good match I really enjoyed it. It wasn’t very challenging because for Under-18 there were only three players, so I think Tennis Zimbabwe really needs to get more players to play in its tournaments.
“It’s great and I am ready for the next tournament,” said Picci.
The girls’ title went to Mitchelle Marufu who defeated Nikitha Patel 7-5, 6-3. Marufu was competing in a national event for the first time and was impressed with the outcome.
“It feels great because I didn’t expect to win. It was a bit challenging because I wasn’t well prepared, though there were few people but there were really good players.
“This is my first event, I think I will compete in more events because this was my first and I don’t think this will be my last as well,” said Marufu.
In the boys Under-16 Shingirai Kamucheka beat Farai Mahere 6-4, 6-7(2), 6-2 in the final. Kamucheka then teamed up with Mahere for the combined Under-16 and Under-18 doubles and they beat the pair of Namanya and Tinashe Machokocho 6-1, 6-0.
Rufaro Chirewa outclassed Koki Hamadziripi 6-1, 6-2 in the girls section.
Yalias Alex overpowered Liam Hounsell 6-7(6), 6-1, 6-1 in the Boys Under-14.
In the girls category Yasmin Mama dismissed Nicola Taffs 6-2, 6-1 to claim the title.
Brett Hounsell was crowned champion in the boys Under-12 when he prevailed over Taona Muhwandagara 6-3, 6-1. Nandi Munyulwa beat Tsitsi Mahere to walk away with the girls title.
The Under-10s competed in three sections — the red ball, orange and green ball which is for advanced players in this age-group.
In the boys green ball the title went to Richard Hounsell who won all his four matches played in a round-robin and Claire Machisa beat Rufaro Magarira 6-2, 7-5 in the girls final.
In the boys Under-12 doubles Daniel Van Rooyen partnered with Brett Hounsell to dismiss Muhwandagara and Francesco Ferrari-Bravo 6-3, 6-2.
Natalia Antkoviak and Munyulwa beat Tsitsi Mahere and Charlote Zhuwakini in straight sets 6-0, 6-0 in the girls category.
Tournament director, Farai Tapfuma said although there was a low turnout, the event was a success and he paid tribute and said they were grateful to Select Healthcare for bankrolling the competition.
“To me the tournament successful, the level of the competition was okay because you find that in the Under-18 boys we had Luca Picci and also Under-12 girls there was Nandi, (some of the top local players) so to me it was a success since it was the inauguration of this tournament.
“It really shows that in future the level of play is going to improve because we will be having good challenging tournaments.
“We had 126 players but most of the players were in the Under-10 age-group. There was low turnout because we had some withdrawals in the last minute in the Under-18,” said Tapfuma.
Select Healthcare managing director, Biggie Magarira revealed that the championships would become an annual event as they also target the underprivileged.
“We really want to see this sport also coming from the under privileged and at the end of this tournament we have donated all the match balls to an academy at Highfield High 2, so that they can have the game and bring all kids from all dimensions and facets of the country.
“This is what we are looking at the junior development of the sport so that every kid can play this game because tennis begins from the juniors,” said Magarira.
Peter Tanyanyiwa
Online Reporter