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Ellina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
THE Old Mutual Zimbabwe F3 ITF Futures tournament started yesterday with Mbonisi Ndimande beating fellow countryman Mehluli Sibanda at Harare Sports Club.

Ndimande dismissed Sibanda 6-3, 6-3 to book his place in the second round.

The 24-year-old made some good serves as he dismissed Sibanda in straight sets.

Ndimande said yesterday’s win was important for him after struggling in the previous tournaments.

“I am pretty happy I managed to pull through today, I have been struggling with my confidence so, hopefully, this will help me get back into it slowly.

“I feel I could have performed much better but it’s always good to come out with a win even if you are not playing your best but you just keep on trying to get better.

“The past two weeks I didn’t play as well as I thought I would play but I keep getting better every week so it’s a positive thing,” said Ndimande.

The United States-based player said he remains positive ahead of tomorrow’s second round match.

“I feel like I am as good as anyone playing this tournament. Every match I am just going to go in and fight and believe I can win, so a win or lose I will just still come out positive. But I am just taking it match by match,” said Ndimande.

Sibanda, who got a wild card to compete in the tournament said although he lost participating in the event was an eye opener as he prepares for the ITF junior tournaments scheduled for August.

“It is my first time playing futures but I really didn’t play well. I was a bit nervous at the beginning of the match because this is the first time playing futures.

“My play was bad, but these guys are quite good and they play really well. I need to work harder for me to catch up with them.

“I just came to see how these guys play to get experience but I am still playing junior tournaments,” said the 15-year-old Sibanda.

The Lock brothers — Benjamin and Courtney beat the Sibanda brothers Mehluli and Muzingaye 6-2, 6-2 in the doubles.

The Lock brothers return to the court today for the singles matches with Courtney taking on second seed Nicolaas Scholtz from South Africa while Benjamin, seeded sixth, has a date against Samuel Bothwell.

In the other matches played yesterday third seed Arthur Surreaux of France beat Agustin Moyano of Argentina 6-2, 6-3. Evan Song seeded fourth sailed through to the second round when he prevailed over Germany’s David Forchap 6-3, 6-2.