ZIMBABWE number one tennis player Takanyi Garanganga put on a superb performance to beat compatriot Martin Dzuwa in straight sets.
REPORT BY HENRY MHARA SPORTS REPORTER
On the same day, another local Mark Fynn brewed a big shocker by beating second seed Alessandro Bega of Italy to progress to the second round of the Twenty Third Century Systems International Tennis Federation men’s singles tournament at Harare Sports Club yesterday.
Seeded top in this tournament, Garanganga shook off a shoulder injury to win 6-0, 6-3 to set a second round meeting with Phenyo Matong of Botswana while South Africa-based Fynn was stretched to a 7-6(5), 7-6 (5) win against the pre-tournament favourite.
The 27-year-old Fynn will now meet South African Lloyd Segal.
Just like Dzuwa, another Zimbabwean Ronzai Saurombe failed to progress beyond the first round, falling to seventh seed Salazar Martin of Spain in straight sets.
However, the pick of the day was a match between United States-based Garanganga against veteran Dzuwa.
Garanganga (22) dominated the first set, breaking a sloppy Dzuwa, as he exploited the 34-year-old’s inability to use his first serves to great effect.
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The second set was a tighter affair as the pair traded breaks, with Dzuva even earning a couple of set points as he impressed early in the tie-break.
“Dzuwa gave me a good run especially in the second set. He had a couple of good volleys and made some really good saves. It was not like a stroll in the park because he played well, but maybe not as consistently as he would have loved. Too bad, we were drawn in the first round. I would have loved to play him later in the tournament,” Garanganga said.
Fynn said: “Im happy with my performance today beating a second seed of the tournament and a very good player. I just played to my strength and thankfully the conditions here in Zimbabwe and the courts suit my game. After winning today’s match I’m feeling confident and looking forward to the next match.”
In other matches played yesterday, Lucas Marsoun of Czech Republic beat Spencer Feldman of US 6-1, 6-4. Keith Crowley of South Africa beat compatriot Vorster Tucker 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (6) while fifth seed Francesco Vilardo of Italy also cruised into the second round after beating Murphy Parker of US in straight sets.
