Story by Mthokozisi Dube
After bagging the International Tennis Federation (ITF) championship crown in the first leg of the tournament held a fortnight ago in Harare, Zimbabwean Channelle Zhuakwinyi proved her triumph was not a fluke after storming into her second final of the ITF Junior tournament in Bulawayo.
It was a Zimbabwean and Israeli affair in the semis as Zhuakwinyi and Ruvarashe Magarira represented the hosts.
It was smooth sailing for Zhuakwinyi after getting the better of Mia Cohen 6-2, 6-2 to set a final date with another Israeli player Office Behr.
Magarira, however, found the going tough after a 6-4, 6-0 loss to Israel’s Behr.
It was also a bad day for Zimbabwean boys who failed to make it to the final.
The boys’ final was won by Alex Hui from Hong Kong.
“I played two difficult opponents but I am happy I won the finals, this win will take me somewhere,” said Hui.
The hosts heaped praise on the participants who gave their all in an ITF-rated tournament.
“It’s day four and we are set to witness the finals on Saturday. We have had some minor disturbances due to the downpour but we are convinced we will end the tournament as scheduled,” said tournament director, Tendai Chikunichawa.
After individual finals focus shifts to the doubles this Saturday.
