ZIMBABWE’S leading professional tennis player Takanyi Garanganga is just one match away from a memorable title on home soil after reaching the Twenty Third Century Systems ITF Futures singles final at Harare Sports Club BY OUR SPORTS REPORTER The top seeded Garanganga powered past third seed Ruan Roelofse from South Africa 7-6 (5), 6-4 in yesterday’s semi-final to qualify for today’s final.
Roelofse, who has a host of doubles titles to his name and a lone singles title was expected to give Garanganga a run for his money, but came unstuck against the powerful home favourite.
Garanganga will now meet another South African opponent Keith Crowley in today’s final, which has all the ingredients of a thriller.
Crowley, had the privilege of watching Garanganga’s match having earlier booked his spot in the final with a hard fought 6-3, 6-1, 6-4 win over American player Evan Song.
Home favourite Garanganga, who has been in irresistible form throughout the tournament, will head into today’s final as the clear favourite.
Should Garanganga handle the pressure and win the coveted title, it would be his third major singles title on the ITF Pro Circuit in a space of two months.
The 22-year-old US-based star, who won back-to-back singles title in Turkey in September, has dropped just one set enroute to the final and should he maintain his form, it’s difficult seeing Crowley stopping his fine run.
Despite being ranked a lowly 1024 on the ITF World rankings, compared to his opponent’s 483, the sixth seeded Crowley has shown that he is well capable of punching well above his weight.
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Crowley will be hoping to emulate his compatriot Izak Van Der Merwe, who emerged triumphant in Zimbabwe, when it last hosted a tournament on the ITF Pro Circuit in October 2005.
