Chronicle EditorEllina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
DEFENDING champion Luca Picci remained on course to retain his title in the Arenel Wimbledon Harare Junior Tennis Open tournament when he dismissed Alosha Chikanda 6-1, 6-4 in the Under-18 boys quarter-finals at St George’s College yesterday. The Under-18 age-group has been combined with the Under-16s in both the girls and boys categories.
Picci who had a bye in the first round and defeated Takunda Dube 6-0, 6-0 in the second round made clear his intentions of retaining the title when he prevailed over Chikanda in straight sets to book a place in the semi-final.
The 18-year-old will take on Keith Wakatama, who is seeded ninth in today’s semi-final. Wakatama beat Tatenda Murape 6-1, 6-4.
The other semi-final match will see Derick Namaya battling it out against second seed Michael Gutu. Namaya overcame Chriswell Sibanda 6-0, 6-2 while Gutu defeated Mark Chigaazira 4-6, 6-1, 7-6(9-7) in a tightly contested match that could have gone either way.
Namaya expressed confidence ahead of today’s game and said he is looking forward to the challenge.
“I think it was a well deserved match because I had the upper hand and it was quite a good match. The competition was a bit low but I think as from the semi-finals we are playing tomorrow there will be a bit of competition there.
“I have played him (Gutu) before, I think it was two years ago but I think I will win,” said Namaya.
His counterpart, Gutu, said he was aware of what to expect in today’s match after watching Namaya playing yesterday.
“I am hoping to win against Derick tomorrow. So far the tournament has been tough looking back from the first round it looks tough I played Mark and the match was so close and I am about to play Derick of which I know the match will be close again,” said Gutu.
In the girls section only two quarter-final matches were played while the other two could not be played as the organisers were forced to move all matches scheduled for the afternoon to today due to the rains that pounded Harare yesterday.
But in the matches at Old Hararians top seed Rufaro Chirewa dismissed Danai Chinamo 6-0, 6-2 to progress to the last four while Tariro Dembo overpowered Yasmin Mama 6-2, 6-3.
They will now meet the winners from the other two quarter-final matches that will take place today.
Defending champion Zahra Finnigan takes on Rumbidzai Ugaro and Nomkosi Malaba has a date against Beverly Matsiwe.
In the Under-14 boys’ section Anesu Kwirirai beat Panashe Wakatama 6-3, 6-7 (7-2), 6-3. Munashe Chikomwe dismissed Nicolas Maduma 6-1, 7-5 and Brett Hounsell cruised to the semi-finals when he thumped Tariro Mutetwa 6-1, 6-1. Natalia Antikowiak defeated Faith Ngwarwi 6-3, 6-0 to proceed to today’s semi-finals while Annette Matumba defeated Rumbidzai Ngwarwi 6-2, 6-0. The two will meet in today’s semi-finals. Zandile Mguni clashes with Nandi Munyulwa in the other match. Mguni had a walkover against Tsitsi Mahere while Munyulwa overpowered Chido Chimbetete 6-3, 6-3.
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