Tapfuma storms into ITF final

Tapfuma, seeded sixth, overpowered Iradukunda 6-7(3), 7-6(5), 7-5 in a close match that could have gone either way. Tapfuma has a date against top seed Mathew Rossouw, who beat Tuki Jacobs 6-4, 7-5. The match between Rossouw and Jacobs seemed to be heading for a third set when the latter took the lead in the second set 4-0.
But at some point it slipped through his fingers when he let Rossouw come back to win the set 7-5 to decide the match. Tapfuma hailed Iradukunda for his good show. “The match was full of ups and downs. He played well, I played well. The first set I was up but he turned the tables and took the set.
“In the second set I stepped up a little bit and he felt the pressure and I got confident but it was close.
“It was really tough but I am glad I pulled through. I am tired but I will have a bit of practice later for an hour and take a rest for tomorrow (today).
“I want to thank the crowd who helped me to pull through by supporting me,” said Tapfuma.
Rossouw said he is looking forward to today’s match. “It’s going to be a good match, I am looking forward to it and I am going try my best.
“The first set was key, our game plan was good and I started off well and pressuring from the beginning.
“The second set I started letting go and I made some silly mistakes and he took advantage of that and I had to put my act together,” said Rossouw.
In the girls’ singles Rutuja Bhosale cruised to the finals when she dismissed Janet Koch in straight sets 6-4, 6-4 while Lesedi Jacobs beat Spurti Shivalingaiah 1-6, 6-4, 6-3. In the doubles boys’ finals Courtney Lock and Tendai Tapfuma will take on the pair of Rossouw and Ronzai Saurombe, who defeated Iradakunda and Andriatokiana Ratsimandresy 6-2, 6-1.
Lock and Tapfuma were awarded the match after their opponents Kumar Manish and Karan Salwan pulled out due to Manish’s injury.
The girls’ finals were played yesterday and Bhosale and Melissa Laing beat Thabile Tshatedi and Nelise Verster 6-0, 6-2.