adminEllina Mhlanga Harare Bureau
LAST week’s losing finalist Mehluli Sibanda had a positive start in the second ITF South/Central Junior circuit that started on Monday by pulling through to today’s third round at Harare Sports Club. Sibanda has so far had a good campaign reaching the finals of the first event that ended last Saturday. The 15-year-old 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 countryman Jack Burkill when they beat the South African pair of Cameron Petersen and Richard Thongoana 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 in the second round yesterday 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 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’ll do the same this week. It might put a little bit of pressure but its fine.
“I’m also a bit tired as I played tough matches last week, but I’m just going to take it as it comes. I’m just going to try to calm down and play my normal game,” said Sibanda.
“I’m playing a tough guy so it’s going to be tough tomorrow. Today I had a good match. Last week it was very nice and I enjoyed it.”
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’ match.
In the girls’ section, Rufaro Chirewa, Kimberly Kaome and Michelle Ncube remained on course by winning their singles’ matches yesterday.
Chirewa dismissed Marieta Nhamitambo from Mozambique 6-1, 6-3 to proceed to the second round while Kaome thumped Egypt’s Yusra Hegy 6-1, 6-1.
Ncube overpowered eighth seed Mariam Mujawimana 7-5, 2-6, 6-2 in a three set match.
Tennis Zimbabwe administrator Cliff Nhokwara said they are optimistic for better fortunes for local players this week as most of them were eliminated in the early rounds of the first tournament.
Online Reporter