 Photographer: Riaan Kruger
Date: 13 Aug 2012 |  Photographer: Riaan Kruger
Date: 13 Aug 2012 | | | | |
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| 13 Aug 2012 | |
| Indian and Southern African players dominate in Zimbabwe |
India dominated the girls’ events and players from the region dominated the boys’ events of the two Grade 4 tournaments which took place during the ITF South/Central Africa 18 and under circuit in Harare, Zimbabwe.
During the first week the girls’ division was dominated by players from India, with Rutuja Bhosale winning the singles and doubles titles. Having overcome her compatriot, Nayanika Devireddy in the semifinal 62 60, first seed Bhosale came up against Namibian Lesedi Jacobs in the singles final but Bhosale proved too strong for Jacobs taking gold with a 63 63 victory.
Bhosale teamed up with South African Melissa Laing for the doubles to bag herself another gold, beating the Indian pair of Devireddy and Spurti Shivalingaiah 64 46 [105]. In the boys’ singles Matthew Rossouw (RSA)defeated Karan Salwan (IND) 76 61 for the title. Zimbabwean boys, Courtney Lock and Tendai Tapfuma, both of whom train at the ITF/SATA Training Centre in Pretoria, teamed up to take the doubles title from William Bushamuka (COD) and Ismael Mzai (KEN) with a score of 63 64.
The gold medallists from the first tournament triumphed once again in the second tournament, with the exception of Bhosale, on whom ITF/SATA Training Centre attendee Lesedi Jacobs took revenge with a 57 61 61 victory. Bhosale and Laing were once again triumphant in the doubles, beating Thabile Tshatedi (ZIM) and Nelise Verster (RSA) 60 62. In the boys’ singles Rossouw proved too strong for Zimbabwean Tapfuma with a 57 61 76 victory. There was, however, a silver lining for Tapfuma, when, with his doubles partner Lock, they took gold in the final against Rossouw and Ronzai Saurombe (ZIM) 62 retired.
During the closing ceremony, Mrs Ann Martin, President of Tennis Zimbabwe, thanked the ITF for their support of this ITF Development circuit. The ceremony concluded with speeches by ITF Development Officer Riaan Kruger and Cliff Nhokwara, Manager of Tennis Zimbabwe, thanking the ITF, sponsors and players for their support during these events.
Full results can be viewed on the ITF Juniors website.
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