GIANT-KILLER . . . Zimbabwe’s Benjamin Lock returns the ball on his way to victory during yesterday’s second round of the ITF Futures F1 pro-circuit tennis tournament at Harare Sports Club. — (Picture by Rumbie Bwanya)
Takudzwa Chitsiga Sports Reporter
BENJAMIN Lock remained the only player flying the Zimbabwe flag when he booked his place in the quarter-finals at the ongoing ITF Futures F1 men circuit tennis tournament at Harare Sports Club yesterday.
On a day when his brother Courtney fell by the wayside, Benjamin battled to see off the challenge of Portugal’s Vasco Mensurado by winning 7-6(2), 6-2.
Benjamin will take on eighth seed Romain Bauvy of France.
Bauvy booked his place by beating Vallnet Tashi of Switzerland 6-4, 6-1.
“I feel good, I played much better today, he was a tough opponent,” said Benjamin.
“I am happy to be in the quarter-finals. My coach told me to focus on my serve and it worked well for me.
“I was focusing on my serve placements.” The Zimbabwe Davis Cup team player expects a tough battle against Bauvy. He also spoke about his brother and believes he will bounce back in future tournaments. “I am prepared for the next challenge and I just need to focus and do the right thing,” said Benjamin.
“Courtney is just 18 and has a big chance to do well and beating the second seed shows his potential.
“The matches are tough but he tried his best.” Courtney lost to Lloyd Harris of South Africa 1-6, 0-6.
Top seed, Nicolaas Scholtz of South Africa, made a surprise exit after going down to American Tyler Hochwalt who came from a set down to win 4-6, 6-1, 6-2.