Saurombe shines at tennis tourney

Nyakotyo 6-0, 6-4 to progress to today’s quarter-finals.
In other matches played, Francis Chirinda defeated Evans Marimbe 6-1, 6-2 while Tatenda Murape dismissed Benjamin Charuma 6-2, 6-2.

Ngoni Makambwa beat Muzingayi Sibanda in straight sets 6-2, 6-2.
The girls’ matches are being played on a round robin format with only four players competing.
Zarah Finnigan beat Wendy Rudhu 6-2, 6-2 and Latifah Yasini overpowered Tanyaradzwa Magunje 6-1, 6-0 in the other match.

In the boys’ Under-16, Kuda Mutemerwa beat Shingirai Kamuchera 6-0, 6-0 while Farai Mahere dismissed Tinashe Muzenyi 6-2, 6-0.
Alosha Chikanda beat Sinfree Tizora 6-1, 6-0 while Chriswell Sibanda beat Tawanda Musemesi 6-0, 6-1.

Owen Mapanzure overpowered Kuda Kapeta 6-3, 6-2.
Andrea Makamba thumped Charmaine Kawanza 6-0, 6-0 in the girls’ section.
Kuda Dhlamini also had a good start when she dismissed Beatrice Sibanda 6-0, 6-0 while Yolanda Kasipo beat Amanda Mangami 6-4, 6-3.

In the boys’ Under-14, Richard Ngwari beat Austin Mukambwa 6-0, 6-0. Bongani Sibanda defeated Divine Sigauke 6-2, 6-2 while Andrew Kunaka beat Nyasha Mukome 6-3, 6-1.
Sean Chikumbu beat Stanley Muneri 6-0, 6-1 and Alex Yalias defeated Micah Roderick 6-2, 6-2.

Jason Chigaazira defeated Tinashe Wakatama 6-0, 6-3.
Chengeto Moyana beat Shumirai Tumbidu 6-0, 6-0 while Yvete Mukondya overpowered Thando Ndlovu 6-3, 6-2 in the girls’ category.

The boys’ Under-12 category, Tatenda Mutetwa beat Zwandile Lupahla 6-1, 6-0 while Ethan Sibanda beat Gamu Madzivire 6-2, 6-2.

Thabo Ncube beat Anesu Kwirirai 6-1, 6-2 and Tiotenda Mbeleli defeated Donald Mhlanga 6-4, 3-6, 6-1.

Andrew Chigaazira defeated Tinevimbo Mufamba 6-4, 6-4.
In the girls’ section top seed Tsitsi Mahere dismissed Crestencia Bhunu 6-0, 6-0.
Second seed Nandi Munyulwa beat Panashe Gaka 6-0, 6-2.

Vimbai Moyo overpowered Renee Tapfumaneyi 6-3, 6-4 and Tanya Murape dismissed Grace Manyora 6-2, 6-0. Tanya Kaome beat Rumbi Mvududu 6-3, 6-3.

The winners will battle it out in today’s quarter-finals.
Meanwhile, an eleven-member team left for Windhoek, Namibia, yesterday for the International Tennis Federation Southern African Junior Championships starting on Sunday.
The tournament is catering for the Under-12, Under-14 and Under-16 players.

The team has Alwyn Mushonga, Julius Mutetwa (boys’ Under-16), Nicole Dzenga, Keren Muswere (girls’ Under-16), Mehluli Sibanda, Batsirai Saurombe (boys’ Under-14), Karen Machisa, Kimberly Bhunu (girls’ Under-14), Tinashe Hwata, Valentine Munyawiri (boys’ Under-12) and Annett Matumba (girls’ Under-12).

Tennis Zimbabwe administrator, Cliff Nhokwara, said the team has enough time to adjust to the conditions ahead of the tournament.

“They left today and they should be in Namibia tomorrow and they have two days to adjust to the conditions, which are not very different from here,” said Nhokwara. The week-long event will end on January 12.