adminSaurombe beat Gutu 6-3, 6-2 and will take on Dereck Namaya who overcame Munashe Chingono 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 in a match that had to be decided in the third set.
The top seed revealed that although he had sailed through, he was still concerned by his fitness levels.
“This is my first match since New Winners so in the first game I was a bit shaky but I settled in and I played well. I am happy so far with my performance but I think I need to improve on my fitness level because it’s low.
“I hope I am going to stay strong. I am playing Dereck and I have played him before. I think I have high chances of winning tomorrow, I know it’s going to be a little bit tough but I am going to try and dominate and win,” said Saurombe.
In another encounter, second seed Taremeredzwa Mariga dismissed Nigel Ncube 6-0, 6-0 and will now clash with Luca Picci who is seeded third.
Picci sailed to a 6-1, 6-2 victory over Tatenda Murape to progress to the last four.
Mariga, who is playing his first local tournament, said it was an easy match but expects a tougher competition from Picci.
“The match today was quite easy but it helped me settle my nerves and to work on some techniques. For tomorrow’s match it’s going to be tough, both of us play good tennis,” said Mariga.
In the boys’ Under-16, top seed, Tadiwa Chinamo, outclassed Shingirai Kamucheka 6-1, 6-1 while Keith Wakatama beat Munesu Chatikobo 6-1, 6-2.
Chinamo and Wakatama will battle it out in today’s semi-finals.
Muzingayi Sibanda beat Alosha Chikanda 6-4, 6-4 and he has a date against Mark Chigaazira who overpowered Ngoni Makambwa 3-6, 7-5, 6-4 in the other match.
Latifah Yasini defeated Yolanda Kasipo 6-1, 6-0 to proceed to the semi-finals and will take on Rufaro Chirewa who beat Taririo Dembo 6-2, 6-2.
Keren Muswere prevailed over Andrea Makamba 6-2, 6-0 and Zarah Finnigan overpowered Nikita Daka 4-6, 6-0, 6-3.
In the boys Under-14 Mehluli Sibanda dismissed Alex Yalias 6-1, 6-1 while Richard Ngwarwi defeated Michael Zhou 6-2, 6-4.
Tanaka Chabata booked his place in the semi-finals when he beat Andrew Kunaka 6-2, 6-2. He will play against Batsirai Saurombe who outclassed Jason Chigaazira 6-0, 6-1.
Karen Machisa, who won the Harare Open girls Under-18, also had a good day yesterday when she sailed to a 6-3, 6-0 victory over Yasmin Mama in the girls’ section to set up a date against Danai Chinamo who beat Kundai Manyonga 6-1, 6-4.
Beverly Matsiwe eased past Munashe Mutize 6-2, 6-4 while Munashe Kaome dismissed Daniella Xanakis 7-6(4), 6-4 in another exciting encounter.
The boys’ Under-12 category saw Anesu Kwirirai beating Tinotenda Mbeleji 6-3, 6-3 while Bret Hounsell dismissed Declan Ralphs 6-0, 6-0.
Tinashe Whata beat Kumal Mohamed 6-1, 6-1.
In the girls’ competition Annette Matumba beat Shylotte Zhuwakini 6-4, 6-2 and Vimbai Moyo defeated Tanyaradzwa Kaome 6-3, 4-6, 6-3. Nandi Munyulwa beat Zanele Zulu 6-1, 6-2.
The curtain comes down on the tournament with the prize presentation and Tennis Zimbabwe have invited David Cup team legend Wayne Black to grace the occasion.
Online Reporter