Sibanda advances to semis

Ellina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
MEHLULI Sibanda sailed through to the semi-finals of the ITF South/Central junior circuit currently underway at Harare Sports Club yesterday when he beat fourth seed Mohamed Abdel-Aziz.

Sibanda, who is the only Zimbabwean player still in the run for the title in the tournament, beat Abdel-Aziz 3-6, 7-6(5), 6-0 to proceed to today’s semi-finals.

Sibanda lost the first set 3-6 before bouncing back in the second set, which was tightly contested, but he managed to take the set 7-6(5).

He went on to win the third set 6-0 to emerge the winner as he continued with his fine run.

Sibanda has a date against top seed Alastair Gray of Great Britain.

Gray dismissed Belgium’s Jordan Decloet 6-4, 6-2 in straight sets.

The 15-year-old has had a good show so far and remains confident ahead of today’s match after upsetting Abdel-Aziz yesterday.

“It was really tough as he was leading. He had won the first set and was leading 3-0 in the second set and I had to fight to come back again in the match.

“I was stuck and nervous in the first set but at 3-0 I just decided to hit the ball and then after that I came back to make it 3-3.

“I am going to have a good practice session again and I hope to play well. He is the number one seed but I think it will be a fifty-fifty match.

“Today’s (yesterday) win boosted my confidence,” said Sibanda.

However, Sibanda and his partner Siphosothando Montsi from South Africa lost 4-6, 2-6 to the pair of Jack Burkill and Luke Hammond from Great Britain in the doubles semi-final yesterday.

The other singles semi-final match will see seventh seed Richard Thongoana from South Africa taking on Great Hammond seeded ninth.

Thongoana beat Burkill 6-3, 6-4 while Hammond prevailed over South Africa’s Cameron Petersen 6-0, 6-0.

Top seed in the girls section Nicole Petchey beat fellow South African Ciney Bekker 2-6, 6-2, 6-3 and will meet Celestine Avomo Ella in the semi-finals. Avomo Ella beat Salma Ziouti 6-4 7-6(4).

Second seed Diae El Jardi takes on Ghita Benhadi in the other match.

El Jardi overpowered Julia Vulpio 6-7(5), 6-4, 6-3 while Benhadi defeated Maxine Bateman 6-4, 4-6, 6-4.

The singles finals are penciled for tomorrow while the doubles will be played today.