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BUDDING TALENT . . . Kundai Manyonga caught in action against Natasha Dhlamini at the junior tennis tournament at Harare Sports Club yesterday

Takudzwa Chitsiga Sports Reporter
TOP seeds Alex Yalias and Tariro Dembo will only plunge into action today after getting opening round byes when the Arenel Wimbledon Harare Junior Open tennis got underway at Harare Sports Club yesterday. Yalias and Dembo, who are the top players in the Boys and Girls Under-18 Section, had to spend the first day of the annual tourney watching action from the stands as they wait to know the identity of their opponents.

The tournament, which has attracted players from the Under-10 to Under-18 age-groups, is being staged at Harare Sports Club and St George’s College.

But, with most of the country’s top junior players currently on tour in Botswana and Namibia, the spotlight has fallen on Yalias and Dembo.

Yalias is now set to face Sinfree Tizora who beat Liam Hounsell yesterday.

“I think I will go all the way to the final and maybe win the event,” said Yalias.

“I am taking the event as a practice for the nationals in Namibia and I am giving everything to try and win this tournament.

“There are some guys who are not around but anyone can pull a surprise so I will not underrate anyone.

“I will join other guys in Namibia after this tournament.”

With few entries having been received in the girls section, Dembo looks set to have an easy route to the final and the United States-based player is hopeful she will do well.

“I am happy to be playing in this tournament once again and I hope to do well,” she said.

“The event was exciting last year so I hope to enjoy it again this year and improve from last year when I finished in the semis.”

Danai Chinamo, who also had a first round bye in the girls Under-18, prevailed over Nandi Munyulwa 6-2, 6-0 and will be looking to challenge Dembo for honours. In other matches yesterday, Dion Chizima dismissed Visaall Chauhan 6-1, 6-3 while Emanuel Mupanduki beat Tinotenda Murimba 6-3, 6-0 in the boys’ Under-12.