Saurombe wins Super Eight

Saurombe, the top seed in the event, dismissed Mariga 6-2, 6-1 to claim the title.
The tournament ended yesterday.
The Super Eight tournament was introduced this year to cater for the top eight players in the country.

In the past Tennis Zimbabwe used to have a tournament for the top 10 players but took a break for sometime due to low turnout of participants.
Saurombe said the tournament was a good platform for him to prepare for this year.
“I played well and everything was working. I have improved compared to my first match. I am happy I won my first tournament of the year. This is a new year and I am hoping to improve on my game.

“The tournament wasn’t that tough, I was playing so that I get match practice.
“I have entered some tournaments in East Africa, which are starting at the end of January for three weeks, and there is the AJC competition in South Africa sometime this year.

“At least it has given me a somewhere to start and now I know the things I have to work on,” said Saurombe.
In the boys’ Under-16 Alwyn Mushonga scooped the title after winning all the five matches he played while Tariro Dembo won the girls’ title after she beat Latifah Yasini 6-4, 6-2.

Dembo said she hopes to continue winning in the forthcoming events this year.
“It wasn’t easy, the match was tough but I managed to win. The last time I played Latifah in the Astra Paints tournament she beat me in the finals.

“I worked so hard for it and I am so happy. I just wish to keep on winning,” said Dembo.
Mark Chigaazira defeated Julius Mutetwa 6-4, 6-3 to win the title while Karen Muswere beat Karen Machisa 6-2, 6-1 in the girls’ section.

In the boys’ Under-12 Tinashe Chabata overpowered Valentine Munyawiri 6-4, 6-2 in the finals. Beverly Matsiwe beat Munashe Kaome 5-7, 6-3, 6-3 in the girls’ category.
In the Under-18 boys’ New Winners Tournament Mufaro Mukome was crowned the champion after beating Takudzwa Tsapayi 6-2, 7-5.

In the girls’ category the title went to Micheala Baker who beat Chloe O’Connor 6-1, 6-3.
Tonderai Tapfuma was crowned champion in the boys’ Under-16 section when he defeated Muzingaye Sibanda 6-2, 7-6(1).
Bongani Mutetwa beat Farayi Mahere 6-2, 6-3 in the boys’ Under-14 category to claim the title.

In the girls’ section the title went to Renneta Zulu who overpowered Amanda Mungami 7-5, 6-3.
In the boys’ Under-12 section Andrew Kunaka beat Munyasha Mukome 6-1, 7-6(4) while Takudzwa Garwe outclassed Faith Ngwari 6-1, 6-2 to clinch the girls’ title.

Meanwhile, 11 players left the country for Namibia yesterday afternoon to take part in the African Junior Championships Zone VI qualifiers to run from January 8-14 in Windhoek.
The coaches, Freeman Nyamunokora and Linsent Chitiyo, are confident in the team’s ability to do well.

“The players are very enthusiastic and they are eager to go and perform having seen the performance of the previous team. They are up for the stage. We have players from different parts of the country and they have been practising in their provinces. This team is formidable and can bring results,” said Chitiyo.

Team
Under-16 Boys: Courtney Lock, Alwyn Mushonga.
Under-16 Girls: Latifah Yasini, Zarah Finningan.
Under-14 Boys: Tadiwa Chinamo, Keith Mwashita.
Under-14 Girls: Karen Muswere, Karen Machisa.
Under-12 Boys: Tanaka Chabata.
Under-12 Girls: Kimberly Bhunu, Beverly Matsiwe.