adminHarare Bureau
THERE were no manjor shocks on Day Two of the New Winners tennis tournament as the top seeds in the Under-18 age group Mark Chigaazira and Zahra Finnigan breezed into today’s finals at Harare Sports Club.
The tournament which was set to run until tomorrow will now end today due to a low turnout and most of the matches were completed in the last two days as the organisers took advantage of the weather conditions that saw a break from the rains that have been pounding the country since last week.
Chigaazira beat Shingi Kamucheka 6-1, 6-3 in straight sets to sail through to the boys’ final.
He will now face Muzi Sibanda, who beat Munesu Chatikobo 6-3, 6-1.
In the girls’ section, Finnigan dismissed Kundai Manyonga 7-5, 6-2 in a one-sided affair and she set up a date with Karen Machisa in the final.
Machisa beat Danai Chinamo 4-6, 6-3, 6-1 in a match that had to be decided in the third set. Machisa went down in the first set before bouncing back in the second to remain in the match. She went on to take the third set to win the match.
Finnigan said she will be cautious in her approach today but added that she is optimistic of winning the final.
“Today I played Kundai, it wasn’t too tough. The tournament doesn’t have much competition which is quite a disappointment. But tomorrow I should hopefully play the finals and I’m hoping to win.
“I just have to take it one step at a time I can’t have my hopes too high because no match is easy,” said Finnigan.
Finnigan said she had hoped for a more challenging tournament since this is the first event of the year.
“It’s the first tournament of the year, we were hoping there would be competition and more players from Mutare and Harare and that high level players will play but unfortunately it looks like they’re all resting, so we just have to take it from here.
“And also I think it’s because this tournament isn’t well sponsored that’s why there’s a low turnout also,” said Finnigan.
Her opponent, Machisa said she knows what to expect since the two have met before.
Machisa said she is looking forward to turn the tables having lost to Finnigan in their previous meeting.
“I’m kind of prepared because I have been training hard because the last time I played her I lost in the third set and it was a tough match but I think I’m prepared for this match. Today’s match was tough, I won in the third set because I just got back from studying, I was not playing for some time,” said Machisa.
In the Under-14 boys Ethan Sibanda prevailed over Thabo Ncube 2-6, 6-2, 6-2 to progress to the finals and will play Austin Chipare. Chipare beat Gamuchirai Madziyire 6-4, 6-4.
The girls’ finals will see Natalia Antakowiak taking on Thabisile Dube.
Antakowiak beat Charlotte Zhuwakini 6-2, 6-2 while Dube dismissed Tanyaradzwa Kaome 6-2, 6-4.
Shingi Manyonga beat Bhukosi Moyo 6-1, 4-6, 6-1 while James Makaranga defeated Ivan Bala 6-2, 3-6, 6-2 in the boys’ Under-12.
Manyonga and Makaranga will meet today to decide the champion in their age-group.
In the girls’ category Nicole Matukutire beat Primrose Chayambuka 7-5, 6-3 to storm into the final. Matukutire takes on Tadiwa Nduku, who dismissed Ruvarashe Shoko 6-3, 6-1.
Online Reporter