Sibanda, Bhunu to ITF quarter-finals Mehluli Sibanda
Mehluli Sibanda

Mehluli Sibanda

Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE’S top player at the third leg of the International Tennis Federation 18-and-Under South Central Circuit Mehluli Sibanda is through to the quarter-finals after beating Jan Jermar yesterday at Harare Sports Club.

Sibanda seeded second outplayed Jermar of Czech Republic 6-2, 6-2 in straight sets to advance to the last eight in the boys singles. He set up a date against sixth seed Gerhardt Marius Becker, who beat Zimbabwe’s Thabo Ncube 6-1, 6-1.

The 17-year-old is looking at claiming his second singles title in this circuit after winning the first event. He missed out last week when he lost in the finals and is seeking to conclude his participation in the circuit with another title this week.

“I really played good today. I am pretty happy about my performance. Tomorrow it’s going to be tough, it’s going to be a tight match, hopefully I can get through it.

“Obviously I want to win it but I need to focus on my recovery,” said Sibanda. In the girls, Kimberly Bhunu had a good day on the court to upset seventh seed Zara Lennon of Mauritius 6-2, 6-2 to also progress to the quarter-finals.

The 16-year-old on Monday said she is seeking to go beyond the quarter-finals. “I hope I get further than the quarter-finals this time and just keep focused and basically keep on going,” Bhunu said.

Sibanda and Bhunu are the only two Zimbabweans who pulled through in the singles matches yesterday as Tinashe Taruberekera also bowed out when he was defeated 3-6, 1-6 by fifth seed Christiaan Worst.

Beverly Matsiwe lost 3-6, 1-6 to Great Britain’s Victoria Allen who is seeded fifth. The tournament is the third and final of the three events that have been running at Harare Sports Club.

Tennis Zimbabwe administrator Cliff Nhokwara said it’s encouraging to see some of their players making good progress in the tournament.

“It’s exciting we have Mehluli Sibanda still in the running. On the girls side we still have Kimberly Bhunu in the quarter-finals. Hopefully they go through tomorrow. They have tough matches but it can be done,” Nhokwara said.

Bhunu takes on Tiffany Lagarde of Canada today.

You Might Also Like

Comments

Take our Survey

We value your opinion! Take a moment to complete our survey