Lock brothers win maiden title together in Maputo

Sport
ZIMBABWEAN brothers Benjamin and Courtney won their first International Tennis Federation (ITF) Futures Circuit title together at the $10 000 Standard Bank Open in Maputo Mozambique on Friday.

ZIMBABWEAN brothers Benjamin and Courtney won their first International Tennis Federation (ITF) Futures Circuit title together at the $10 000 Standard Bank Open in Maputo Mozambique on Friday.

BY DANIEL NHAKANISO

The duo put on an impressive perfomance to seal a 6-4, 6-3 triumph over John Lambie from the US and Portugal’s Bernardo Saraiva in the doubles final at the Maputo Tennis Club.

Courtney-Lock-and-Benjamin-Lock-pose-with-the-winner's-cheque-and-trophy-after-their-victory-in-Maputo

The win is Courtney’s first ITF Futures Circuit doubles title and brother Benjamin’s third, but the pair had previously reached semifinals a week earlier in Maputo and last year in Guatemala.

Courtney (19), who recently completed a move to the University of Nevada in Las Vegas from the University of Louisville, expressed his delight on Twitter: “Surreal feeling winning my first professional title with @Benjamm1ng. All glory to God!”

His brother, 23-year-old Benjamin, who recently completed a successful college tennis career with Florida State University, was equally elated with winning his first title with his brother.

“Thrilled to have won my first professional title of the year with the bro! #ups #lockdown,” he tweeted.

The Lock brothers are expected to be part of the Zimbabwe Davis Cup team for their tie must-win Europe/Africa Group II relegation playoff tie in Georgia from July 15-17.

But before that they will be hoping to continue their good form on home soil when they lead the local charge in the two back-to-back Old Mutual Futures Tournaments which get underway at Harare Sports Club on Monday.

The two ITF Futures tournaments which are being bankrolled by Old Mutual Zimbabwe will provide an opportunity for local players to acquire world ranking points as they square off against upcoming players from around the world.

The first Old Mutual Futures Tournament runs from tomorrow up to Friday at Harare Sports Club and will be followed by the other Old Mutual-sponsored event which takes place at the same venue from June 27 to July 3.