Top seed Valeria Bhunu was among the three Zimbabwean girls who reached the quarterfinals of the ongoing International Tennis Federation South and Central Junior Circuit Under-18 currently underway at Harare Sports Club.
Bhunu, who won the Namibian leg of the tournament two weeks ago, dismissed unseeded South African Damaris Musera 6-3, 6-2 in straight sets.
Pauline Chawafambira also stormed into the quarterfinals also progressed but needed three sets to beat unseeded Bridgette Sanders 3-6, 6-4, 7-5.
Nicole Dzenga, who is seeded 12th caused the biggest upset of the tournament after knocking out her fourth seeded compatriot Patience Ugaro 6-7 (4), 6-4, 6-3 to reach the quarterfinals.
Dzenga is ranked the best player on the continent in the Under-14 age group is on top of her game and was recently named in the 2011 Wilson Elite Team to be co-sponsored by Nike and tennis sports equipment manufacturer Wilson. In the boys’ category first seed Tendai Tapfuma was one of the five Zimbabwean boys to progress into the third round.
Mhere managed a 6-3, 6-1 win over South African Christain La Grange to set up a date with another South African Vladmir Maki who beat Zimbabwean Karl Midlane 6-2, 6-0.
Mutare based Ronzai Saurombe was at his ruthless best after easily brushing aside the challenge of South Africa’s Rayne Roselt 6-0, 6-0 in straight sets.
The seventh seeded Innocent Mhere also brightened the chances of a Zimbabwean winner at the tournament with a 6-0, 6-2 win while Takudzwa Muswere dismissed his compatriot Munashe Chigomo 6-4, 6-3.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
Courtney Lock also reached the third round after beating South African Joshua Chetty 6-2, 6-3 to set a date with Burundi’s Orly Iradukunda, who beat Michael Mandingwa 6-4, 6-1.
Courtney is the younger brother to Zimbabwe’s top junior player Benjamin Lock won the South African leg of the South and Central Junior Circuit Under-18 boys’ singles title in Pretoria last weekend.
Lock is however not taking part in the Zimbabwean leg of the tournament as it is a less prestigious Grade five event which has less ranking points.
