HARARE, Apr. 14 (NewsDay Live) – Emerging Zimbabwean tennis talent Chanelle Tariro Zhuwakini delivered an impressive performance at the ITF Gaborone U18 J30 tournament, clinching the doubles title and finishing runner-up in the singles competition over the weekend.
Zhuwakini partnered with Korea’s A Hyun Jo to upset the top-seeded South African duo of Meri Sandenbergh and Gitta Victor. The second-seeded pair showed composure under pressure, securing the title with a hard-fought 7–5, 7–5 straight-sets victory.
In the singles category, Zhuwakini, who was also seeded second, fell to top seed Sandenbergh 6–1, 7–5, settling for second place.
Her run to the final underscored her resilience and determination. The teenage star battled past Czech Republic’s Veronika Koutova in a grueling quarterfinal, winning 6–4, 4–6, 6–3, before cruising past India’s Vasundra Balajee 7–5, 6–0 in the semifinals.
Fellow Zimbabwean Rutendo Mavhenyengwa also impressed, reaching the doubles semifinals alongside South African partner Charlotte Bouwer. However, their campaign ended in a 6–4, 6–2 loss to the top-seeded pair.
