Picci wins Hre jnr open
Sp5

EYES ON THE BALL . . . Top seed Luca Picci retained his title at the Arenel Wimbledon Harare Junior Open Tennis tournament when he beat Michael Gutu in the final yesterday at Harare Sports Club

Ellina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
THE curtain came down on the Arenel Wimbledon Harare Junior Open Tennis tournament with Luca Picci retaining the boys Under-18 title at Harare Sports Club yesterday.
Picci beat second seed Michael Gutu in straight sets 6-3, 6-3 in the final to clinch the title for the second consecutive year, having won the same tournament last year.The 18-year-old, who is playing his last year in the juniors section, said he was thrilled with the success.

“I feel great about winning, I did really well, my opponent played well but I managed to win and I am glad.  My opponent was tough though I won,” said Picci.
After winning the singles matches, Picci then partnered Munashe Chingono in the doubles but they lost in the final to the pair of Alosha Chikanda and Mark Chigaazira 4-6, 6-3, 8-10.

In the girls section, Beverly Matsiwe overpowered Tariro Dembo 6-4, 6-4 to walk away with the title.

Matsiwe beat top seed Rufaro Chirewa in the semi-finals on Monday on her way to the final and yesterday she pulled another surprise as she won the title.
The 13-year-old said she moved to compete in the Under-18 to get stiff competition as she felt she was not getting the challenge she needed in her age-group.

“I wanted more competition because there is no competition in Under-14. I am happy and I feel proud of myself.  It was a bit tough but I won and my motivation is that I should never give up. You train hard and play hard,” said Matsiwe.

However, Matsiwe and her partner for the doubles Chengeto Moyana went down to Tariro Dembo and Rufaro Chirewa 6-3, 6-2. The boys Under-14 title went to Valentine Munyawiri who beat Brett Hounsell 6-4, 6-7(5), 7-6(5) while Nandi Munyulwa dismissed Anette Matumba 6-3, 6-2 to win the girls section.

Ethan Sibanda was crowned champion in the boys Under-12 when he defeated Andrew Chigaazira 6-2, 6-2.
Vimbai Moyo won the girls section when she beat Vimbai Nengu 7-5, 6-2.

Tournament director, Linsent Chitiyo, described it as a success.

“The level of play that we saw was really high because we are actually looking at the players who have been representing the national teams in different age-groups coming to play and competing on the same platform,” said Chitiyo.

Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe Junior Closed Tennis tournament starts today at Harare Sports Club with more than 150 players expected to compete in five age-groups from Under-10 to Under-18. The tournament runs up to Saturday.

Other Results

Doubles
Under-14 Boys: Henry Munengwa/Munyasha Mukome bt Valentine Munyawiri/Nicolas Maduma 3-6, 6-4, 10-3.
Girls: Faith Ngwarwi/Kundai Manyonga beat Anette Matumba/Nandi Munyulwa 6-4, 6-2.
Boys Under-12: Andrew Chigaazira/Ethan Sibanda beat Francesco Bravo/Neville Chirewa 6-2, 6-1.
Under-10s Singles
Boys
Red Ball: Kudzai Simbaneuta beat Chikomborero Wenga 11-7, 11-7.
Orange Ball: Michael Raja beat Ashley Musendekwa 6-2.
Green Ball: Michael Happy beat Takura Mhwandagara 6-3, 7-6(5).
Girls
Red Ball: Yvonne Nyarungu beat Judith Machokoto 9-11, 11-6, 11-5.
Orange Ball: Naledi Raguin beat Tamirinashe Shoko 7-6(10).
Green Ball: Jamilia Tawakali beat Fionna Chibanda 6-2, 7-6(3).

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