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Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE’S junior tennis players had a fruitful outing when they claimed the boys and girls’ doubles titles at the ITF/CAT 14-and-Under Leg 2 Kampala, Uganda recently.
The pair of Manzungu Muchengeti and Noah Samushonga won the boys doubles title after beating Cillian Ndilima and Tony Oweknimungu of Uganda 4-2, 4-0 in the finals. On their way to the finals, Muchengeti and Samushonga beat Sebbi Arafat and Dwongparworth Regan Steward from Uganda 6-1, 6-6 in the last eight.
They then dismissed Uganda’s Ssendyowa Latif and Ssentongo Jonah 4-2, 4-1 in the semi-finals to secure their place in the finals.
The finals and semi-finals were reduced to short sets due to the rains.
It was the same story in the girls’ section as the Zimbabwean players put up another good performance with Kuzivaishe Chapepa and Emily George clinching the title when beating fellow Zimbabwean Rufaro Ruwanza and Akeelah Khanye in straight sets 6-4, 6-4.
Chapepa and George had defeated Saraya Alia and Kawera Nancy in the last four, having previously dismissed Kenya’s pair of Amani Gikunda and Liya Gikunda in the quarterfinals.
In the singles matches, Chapepa lost the final 4-6, 6-4 (5-10) to Nancy Kawera, who was the top seed at the tournament.
On her way to the finals, Chapepa beat Olivia Natukunda in the second round before overcoming Nigeria’s Karen Osaji Ndidi 6-3, 6-2. She then beat Egypt’s Alia 6-4, 6-3 in the semi-finals.
Emily George lost 6-0, 6-1 to Kawera in the semi-finals while Ruwanza bowed out in the quarterfinals when losing 6-0, 6-2 Nancy, who went on to play George in the last four.
In the boys’ section, the best singles performances were from Muchengeti, who reached the quarterfinals and lost to top seed Latif Ssendyowa 6-4, 6-0 while Samushonga lost 6-7(2), 4-6 to Sebbi Muzamil.
Most of the players, except Chapepa, are now competing in Kenya in two more regional events that will run for eight days. They are expected to conclude the tour with another event in Angola.
Online Reporter