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Ellina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
LOCAL tennis players met with mixed fortunes yesterday at the ongoing Old Mutual ITF Futures Series at Harare Sports Club. While Benjamin and Courtney Lock maintained the momentum from Monday when they won their doubles encounter, to win their first round singles matches yesterday, it was a different story for Davis Cup squad member and young player Tadiwa Chinamo as they lost their matches.

Benjamin pulled through to the second round when he beat Syria’s Allaf Kareem 6-3, 6-2 while his young brother, Courtney overpowered India’s Aditya Deswal 7-5, 6-3.

Courtney said although it had proven to be a difficult match with his opponent giving him a good run, he was excited to emerge the winner.

“It was a tricky match starting off the first day of the tournament (in the singles), you always want a match under your belt.

“And just to be able to be on the courts and get there and start playing. So I was happy with the way I played today.

“He is a difficult player to play especially in these conditions, he is very fast and has a big serve though I kept it together well and I was happy to come out with a win,” said Courtney.

Courtney has a date against second seed Nicolaas Scholtz from South Africa in the singles second round.

Scholtz beat Chinamo 6-2, 6-2 and Courtney should brace up for a tough encounter against the South African player when they meet this morning.

Scholtz is ranked 355 in the world.

Courtney is ranked 2118.

Benjamin seeded eighth will take on Adriaan De Jager from Netherlands.

De Jager defeated Zimbabwe’s Muzingaye Sibanda on Monday.

The Lock brothers will then team up for the doubles quarter-finals following their victory on Monday in the first round. They will take on Tadiwa Chinamo and Kareem Allaf.

Courtney said they are hopeful of another good match today as they seek to continue with their good run.

“We expect the best, we have been playing well together, coming off with a win in Mozambique, so now we are looking forward to it. It’s going to be a good day tomorrow,” said Courtney.

Fynn, who lost to fourth seed Marc Polmans 6-1, 3-6, 4-6, will partner with Franco Feitt, to face Miracle Matanga and Sherwin Foo.

The tournament is featuring players from different countries.

And, for Zimbabwe, it presents them with the opportunity to assess some of their players in the Davis Cup provisional squad such as Fynn, Courtney, Benjamin and Chinamo ahead of their tie against Georgia next month.