adminEllina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
LAST week’s losing finalist Mehluli Sibanda had a positive start in the second ITF South/Central Junior circuit that started on Monday as he pulled through to today’s third round at Harare Sports Club.
Sibanda so far had a good campaign reaching the finals of the first event that ended last Saturday. The 15-year-old Zimbabwean player lost 3-6, 6-4, 2-6 to Great Britain’s Luke Hammond who claimed the title.
Hammond went on to claim the doubles title with fellow countryman Jack Burkill when they beat the pair of Cameron Petersen and Richard Thongoana of South Africa 6-1, 6-4.
The girls’ title went to Diae Ell Jardi of Morocco. She overpowered Gabon’s Celestine Avomo Ella 6-3, 7-5.
Ell Jardi partnered Ghita Benhadi to dismiss Avomo Ella and Mariam Mujawimana of Burundi 6-4, 6-2 in the doubles.
However, in this week’s competition Sibanda, who had a bye on Monday beat Belgium’s Louis Herman 6-1, 6-4 yesterday in the second round and will take on Cameron Petersen today.
Petersen beat third seed Alastair Gray 6-1, 6-1.
Sibanda said after a good show last week there is a little bit of pressure for him as he seeks to maintain such a good performance in this event as well.
“I played really well and I had to work hard to get to the final and I hope I do the same this week. It might put a little bit pressure on me but its fine. I am also a bit tired as I played tough matches last week. But I am just going to take it as it comes. I am just going to try to calm down and play my normal game.
“I am playing a tough guy so it’s going to be tough tomorrow. Today (yesterday) I had a good match. Last week it was very nice and I enjoyed it,” said Sibanda.
Tadiwa Chinamo seeded eighth in this week’s event also had a good start when he prevailed over South Africa’s Thembo Makhanya 7-6(2), 6-3.
Chinamo has a date against 12th seed Kevin Cheruiyot of Kenya, who beat David Sedlar of Czech Republic 6-3, 6-2 in yesterdays’ matches.
Online Reporter