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Sports Reporter
THE New Winners tournament started yesterday with the top seed in the boys Under-18, Luca Picci, dismissing unseeded Mathew Ward in his opening match at Harare Sports Club. Picci had earlier on received a bye in the first round and cruised to the third round when he thumped Ward 6-0, 6-0.

The Under-18s have been combined with the Under-16s. It was a good day for most of the seeded players with third seed Derek Namaya beating Micah Rodriguez 6-0, 6-0 while Mark Chigaazira, who is seeded fifth, defeated Shaun Chikumba 6-0, 6-0.

Sixth seed Ngoni Chiwewete overpowered Muwele Chimona 7-5, 6-3 and Keith Wakatama beat Owen Mapanzure in straight sets 6-2, 6-2.
In the girls’ section defending champion, Latifah Yasini, began her campaign to retain her title on a positive note when she beat Yvone Munkondya 6-0, 6-0.

Munashe Kaome beat Shyleen Thole 6-0, 6-0 and she will take on top seed Zarah Finnigan today. Finnigan had a bye yesterday and said she is out to win the title after losing in the finals last year although she acknowledged that it is not going to be easy.

“Well, I am hoping to win tomorrow but it’s quite tricky because if you think ahead and your hopes are too high you won’t concentrate.
“So I am just going to plan to take one day at a time and each match at a time and hoping to make it to the final and possibly win.

“They (the other players) are playing well, they have been training harder. It shows because most of them have been playing international tournaments.

“Last year I did compete and I was runner-up. I’m hoping to take it this year,” said Finnigan.
Tariro Dembo beat Yvette Munkondya 6-0, 6-2 in the other match while Amanda Khupe beat Ashley Nyavanhu 6-0, 6-0.
Rumbidzai Ugaro, who is seeded fourth, thumped Vimbai Chirimumimba 6-0, 6-0 and Andrea Makamba beat Mazvita Bako 6-1, 6-0.
Roland Jasi beat Tavonga Majoni 7-6 (5), 6-2 in the boys Under-14 while Munashe Mukome dismissed Dalisto Phiri 6-0, 6-0.
Nicolas Maduma overpowered Marvelous Ngwenya 6-0, 6-1.

In the girls section Tadiwa Mateko was awarded a walkover against Munashe Mutize who did not show up for the event while Natalia Antkowiak beat Faith Ngwarwi 6-0, 6-1.

Annette Matumba prevailed over Takudzwa Garwe 7-5, 6-3 and Ruby Rusanga beat Tafadzwa Mateko 6-4, 3-6, 6-3.
Nandi Munyulwa beat Lluceille Bisent 6-0, 6-0.

Tadiwa Chikwenenge beat Vuyiso Mhlanga 6-4, 7-5 in the boys Under-12s.
Nyasha Matemadombo also had a good day on the court when he dismissed Bongani Tshili 6-1, 6-2 while Delan Moyo and Kemeran Jinah progressed to the next round without hitting a ball after their opponents failed to turn up.

In the girls category Lisa Sithole overpowered Albetina Bwititi 6-3, 6-1 while Makanaka Wenga beat Rudo Kanyemba 6-3, 6-4.
Beverly Matsekwa beat Sabra Mohamed 6-1, 6-3 and Tafara Bako defeated Nenyasha Chitenderu 6-7(3), 6-4, 7-5.
The Under-10s are also competing in this tournament as part of the development programme by Tennis Zimbabwe.