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Brandon Moyo, Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE junior tennis players participating at the ongoing International Tennis Federation (ITF) South Central Circuit Zimbabwe Leg 6 Tournament at Bulawayo Country Club found the going tough in the second leg of the tournament yesterday.
In singles matches played yesterday, most of the athletes from Zimbabwe, in both boys and girls produced mixed results.
In the boys’ section, Zimbabwe’s Clandestine Ndiringepi lost his match 6-4 and 6-3 against Madagascar’s Mathieu Hasina Ranaivo in round one of the second leg of the prestigious tournament.
Another Zimbabwean, Caleb Robb was eliminated by South African Connor Doig after losing 6-0 and 6-1. Tafara Nhokwara lost 6-2 and 6-0 against France’s Moise Kouame while Thompson Thomu was the first Zimbabwean to win his match with scores of 6-4 and 6-3 against Botswana’s Seabo Saleshando to progress to round two.
On the girls’ side, Zimbabwe’s Hailey Banda won 6-2 and 6-1 against Botswana’s Mbali Nonhle Qame while K Chapera from Zimbabwe was eliminated by Carle Botha from South Africa with a score of 6-0 before she retired.
Another Zimbabwean female athlete, Thandiwe Nkala lost her match against Romy De Baene from Belgium with scores of 6-3 and 6-2. Tinotenda Chipfakacha progressed to the second round after winning her match 6-1 and 6-4 against Moroesi Tuoane from South Africa. Anatsa Mutasa lost 6-1 and 6-0 against Melissa Mwakha from Kenya.
Ruvarashe Magarira lost 6-0 and 6-0 against Uta Asakura from Japan while Chanelle Zhuwakini won 6-1and 6-0 against Bashali Phatshwane and R Chirimumimba lost 6-0 and 6-0 at the hands of Kaitlyn Leigh Ramduth from South Africa.
The matches at Bulawayo Country Club are a part of the ITF World Tennis Juniors Tour, a development tour that provides players aged 18 and under the opportunity to travel the world and fine-tune their talent. Matches that were not played yesterday will take place today. — @brandon_malvin
Online Reporter
Bongani Ndlovu