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Ellina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
THE New Winners tournament continued yesterday, with top seeds Luca Picci and Zarah Finnigan reaching the finals at Harare Sports Club.Picci, who is the top seed in the boys Under-18s, advanced to the final after beating Mark Chigaazira 6-3, 6-4 in the semi-final.

Picci will now meet Ngoni Makambwa, who beat Michael Gutu 6-4, 6-4 in the other semi-final match. Makambwa, who is based in Mutare, said he is hoping to win this year’s title.

“This is the third day of the competition and the match was really tough. I knew it was going to be tough because we once played in Mutare and the tie had to be decided in three sets.

“I was prepared to play my best and to do all I can to win my match today. All I need to do is just to be strong and have mental strength that I can do it. When we met last year he (Picci) won in the third set so maybe I can win if I just play my best.

“My hope is winning the match. Just being the Under-18 winner, it motivates you to play tennis, so what I need to do is just work hard,” said Makambwa.

In the girls section Finnigan continued with her good run when she overpowered Rumbidzai Ugaro 7-6 (5), 6-3. The top seed said she is improving with each game.

“My match today was a lot better. Yesterday I was very shaky and couldn’t find my game but I managed to find it especially in the second set.

“The first set was quite tough but the second set was good, it was a good competition. I am just going to play my game and try to minimise mistakes and hopefully tomorrow (today) I will find my game and I won’t be shaky again,” said Finnigan.

Third seed, Tariro Dembo put up a spirited fight to beat defending champion, Latifah Yasini 6-3, 7-5.  Dembo said she knows what to expect.

“I think I did my best because I wasn’t playing tennis for the past few months, I was studying. She played very well, it was tough but I did my best, that’s all I can say.

“I am ready for tomorrow, I will do my best. I didn’t know what to do, it’’s like I didn’t have any game plan, I just played my best and I don’t think I will have a game plan for tomorrow. I will just play the game,” said Dembo.

Top seeds in the other age groups also had a good day with Andrew Kunaka dismissing Valentine Munyawiri 6-2, 6-3 in the boys Under-14s while Jason Chigaazira beat Panashe Wakatama 6-2, 6-1.

Chengeto Moyana defeated Natalia Antkowiak 6-3, 6-0 to progress to the girls finals. She has date against Annette Matumba, who beat Nandi Munyulwa in straight sets 6-4, 6-4.

In the boys Under-12s Andrew Chigaazira overpowered Denzel Dzokamushu 6-3, 6-4 while Kumail Mohamed beat Tinotenda Mbeleji 6-1, 6-1.

Chigaazira and Dzokamushu will fight for honours in the finals.  Tsitsi Mahere beat Clare Machisa 6-3, 6-1 in the girls category and she will take on Primrose Chayambuka.

Chayambuka dismissed Dilafruz Saidova 6-0, 6-1 in the other semi-final.