Though watched by a poor crowd that included Executive Mayor Muchadeyi Masunda, Tennis Zimbabwe president Anne Martin, her deputy Regis Bhunu and former Zifa board member Regis Dzenga, the Zimbabweans did not disappoint.
Top seed Tendai Tapfuma dispatched fourth seed Tuki Jacobs of Namibia 6-0, 6-2 in straight sets in a surprisingly one-sided final while in the girls’ singles final, Pauline Chawafambira beat third seed Ilze Hattingh of South Africa 6-2, 6-3.
On Friday, Chawafambira had started the ball rolling for Zimbabwe after teaming up with compatriot Valeria Bhunu to beat the South African duo of Hattingh and Jessica Simpson 6-4, 3-6, 10 -7.
However, the duo of Tapfuma and Zibusiso Ndimande failed to make it four out of four for Zimbabwe after losing to first seeds South Africa’s Adriaan du Toit and Mathew Rossouw 6-4, 6-1 in the doubles finals.
Tapfuma, who clearly took the absence of top junior player on the continent, Benjy Lock, to his advantage outclassed Jacobs in the singles finals.Though he struggled with his first serve in the final, Tapfuma also took advantage of Jacobs’ inconsistency. Jacobs rushed his game thereby making unforced errors.
Jacobs also struggled in containing Tapfuma’s powerful left hand the time it hit its intended target.
Tapfuma, who will be returning to his South African base next weekend, was delighted after winning the singles tie, set to improve his ranking.“I started the tournament slowly,” he said, thanking fans for supporting him.
“I wanted to improve my ranking which is at 143, so with this win I hope to improve. I would also want to compete in Grade 4 competitions and do well.”
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On his way to the finals, Tapfuma defeated Orly Iradukunda 6-1, 6-1 in the semifinals with Joshua Luck having been his victim in the quarterfinals. His victim in the final, Jacobs, had caused a major upset in the quarterfinals after seeing off the challenge of pre-tournament favourite Rossouw 6-4, 7-6 (5) in the semis.
