Zimpapers Logo

Sports Reporter

TAKURA Mhwandagara and Kuzivaishe Charlene Chapepa were the toast of the Zimbabwean junior tennis players after winning their events in the recent ITF Tours and Confederation of Africa Tennis Tours.

Mhwandagara won the ITF J60 Under-18 Tournament hosted in Windhoek Namibia early this month. He beat Botswana’s Mark Nawa 6-0 6-2 in the final.

He had won the semifinals 6-6 6-4 against Lukas Anderson of Sweden. Mhwandagara accounted for Constraing Neabuar of Australia 6-3 7-5 in the quarterfinals.

He had won the second round 7-6, 4-5 against Victor Tauson of Sweden after also beating Jordan Goste of South Africa 6-3 6-3 in the first round.

Mhwandagara was part of the Davis Cup Development Squad in February and was also part of the Africa Union Sport Council Region 5 Games Tennis Team in Malawi.

The other successful junior tennis player, Chapepa won the ITF CAT 14-and-Under Circuit Leg 1 in Uganda. Kuzivaishe won the final against Saraya Alia of Egypt 6-3 7-6(3).

On the road to success she had 6-0, 6-0 against Ruth Kisaye of Uganda in the semis. In the quarter finals, she beat fellow Zimbabwean Akeelah Khanye 6-1 6-0.

Tadiwanashe Mauchi reached the semi-finals of the ITF J60 Under-18 Tournament in Windhoek Namibia. She lost 0-6, 3-6 against Kochta Tamina of Germany.

But she had a promising campaign after winning the quarter finals 6-1 4-6 6-3 against Marie Eennaes of Belarus. She won the second round 6-4 6-0 against Rajca Learner of Poland.

The two Zimbabwe Under-14 girls double teams reached the finals at the ITF/CAT 14-and-Under Circuit Leg 1 in Uganda and Kuzivaishe Charlene Chapepa and Emmy George won against compatriots Mufaro Ruwanza and Akeelah Khanye 6-3, 6-3.

Kuzivaishe and George had won 6-0,6-0 in the quarter finals against Uganda’s Gloria Mugema and Munira Makatho.

Mufaro and Khanye won 6-1, 6-0 against Uganda’s Ruth Kisakaye and Shatrah Nakitende. The four players were part of the Zonals Regional competition that was played in Harare in January.

Khanye also reached the semifinals at the ITF CAT 14-and-Under Circuit Leg 1 in Uganda and lost 1-6, 0-6 to fellow Zimbabwean Chapepa.

Noah Samushonga reached quarter finals at the ITF CAT 14-and-Under Circuit Leg 1 in Uganda and lost 6-3, 3-6 , 5-10  to Tony Blair  of Uganda. He had won 6-2, 6-0 in the second round against Serby Arafata of Uganda

Manzungu Muchengeti reached the quarter finals at the ITF CAT 14-and-Under Circuit  Leg 1 and lost 6-4, 3-6, 8-10 to Byanhaga Ambros of Uganda .

Muchengeti  and Samushonga reached the semifinals at the ITF CAT 14-and-Under Circuit  Leg 1 and lost 7-5, 5-7, 3-10 to Latif Ssendyola and  Jonah Ssentogo from Uganda. They had won 6-3, 6-3 against Emonda Lagara and Comos Munguryek  of Uganda in the last eight.

Anotipa Chigudu and Myles Murindagomo reached quarter finals at the ITF CAT 14-and-Under Circuit  Leg 1 and lost 1-6, 4-6.