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Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE’S Sasha Chimedza and Tadiwanashe Mauchi advanced to the quarter-finals of the International Tennis Federation (ITF) J60 tournament when winning their matches yesterday at Harare Sports Club.
Chimedza beat Madagascar’s Harena Voaviandraina 6-2, 6-1 while Mauchi dismissed Riya Matharoo from India 6-1, 6-1 to proceed to the quarter-finals.
They were the only Zimbabwean players to pull to the quarter-finals in the singles matches.
Mauchi said it has not been easy and is expecting a tougher challenge in the quarter-finals.
“I think every time when I step out on the court I am going there to win, so even if you are really good or better than me I don’t care about that, I am just trying to win. So I think straight from the beginning I just went out firing; that really helped me.
“Obviously now it’s the quarter-finals so it’s going to be another tough match, it will be tougher than these past two matches,” said Mauchi.
It was a different case for Zahara El Zein, who suffered a 6-7(4), 6-4, 6-3 loss against third seed Sohini Sanjay Mohanty from India.
Julie Tungamirai also had a tough day on court when she lost 6-0, 6-1 to Andraina Mitia Voavy of Madagascar.
In the boys’ section, Zimbabwe’s hopefuls, Takura Mhwandagara, Ronan Mtisi and Thompson Thomu lost their third round matches.
Mhwandagara lost 6-3, 7-6 (1) to Sehaj Singh Pawar from India while Thomu suffered a 6-0, 6-1 defeat against Amir Asylkozhaev.
Mtisi was defeated 6-4, 6-1 by Rayan Sajjid Koothrat. Mtisi said he is hoping for a better outcome in the two remaining tournaments.
“I still have time to practice and maybe play some practices with the other guys so that in the J100s I will be ready to give my best and maybe win some matches. It’s a higher competition,) said Mtisi.
The J60 is one of three tournaments Zimbabwe is hosting.
Online Reporter