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TOP junior tennis player Mehluli Sibanda is walking with a spring in his step as he chases his second title in the International Tennis Federation 18-and-Under South Central Circuit second leg at Harare Sports Club.
The second leg’s main draw began yesterday, with the boys’ top seeds getting byes and Sibanda is the second seed.
He was with the Davis Cup team in Egypt and for him, his victory over the weekend coupled with his involvement with the Davis Cup team, is a motivator as he takes to the court today.
“It (winning) felt pretty good, I have worked so hard for it and after making like eight finals before, I felt like maybe I kind of deserved it.
In some of the matches played yesterday, Tinashe Taruberekera sailed through to the second round when he beat Gabriel Vallim from Brazil 6-3, 6-2.
Taruberekera, who is based in South Africa, is excited with playing at home and is looking forward to a successful week after reaching the doubles finals with his partner Thabo Ncube in the first event.
“I won the singles today. It was a tough match, but I got through it and won. It feels nice to play at home, it’s better than playing at other places,” said Taruberekera.
He will be joined by Tanaka Chabata in the second round, who beat Sebastian Nothhaft 6-4, 6-4 and Batsirai Saurombe, who overpowered Paul Schwieger of Namibia 6-4, 7-5.
Ncube also had a good start yesterday after beating Vinicius Saleme of Brazil 6-1, 1-6, 6-1.
Anesu Kwirirai dismissed Yarona Morule from South Africa 6-4, 4-6, 6-4.
“I have been practising a lot and I think I am quite ready. It’s been very tough because most of the Zimbabweans are already out and a few of us are still in.
“This week I want to reach at least quarter-finals,” said Kwirirai.
In the girls section, Sasha Taruberekera lost to top seed Hala Khaled of Egypt 0-6, 0-6 and Claire Machisa also went down to Israel’s Tamara Barad Itzhaki 0-6, 0-6.
The tournament ends on Saturday and the last event is scheduled for August 14 to 18.
Peter Tanyanyiwa
Online Reporter