Story by Mthokozisi Dube
Zimbabwean budding tennis player, Channele Zhuakwinyi settled for silver after failing to defend her gong in the ITF J30 final played in Bulawayo this Saturday.
After winning the first edition of the ITF tournament and sealing qualification into the finals of another ITF rated tournament, stakes were high that Channelle Zhuakwinyi would complete a double.
She however couldn’t pace up as Israel’s Office Behr claimed gold courtesy of a 6-4, 6-2 score line.
Zhuakwinyi was the only remaining torch bearer for the hosts after her fellow country girl Ruvarashe Magara failed to go past the semis as she was booted out by Behr.
Casey drake from Britain won the men’s ITF J30 section after finalist Alex Hui could not finish the game due to an illness. Drake took the crown after carrying a 5-2 lead in the first set.
Meanwhile, the second leg of the ITF J30 tournament begins this Sunday with qualifiers at the Bulawayo country club.
