Ugandan Duncan Mugabe is favoured to win the 2017 Rwanda Open Circuit
Ugandan Top seed Duncan Mugabe and Kenyan second seed Ismael Changawa Mzai, are eyeing a nail-biting finale at the Rwanda Tennis Open which comes at climax on Saturday at Amahoro Tennis Court Sports in Remera, Kigali City.
The two players are poised to meet in the final on Saturday at 12:30 after they breezed into Friday’s quarter-finals.
Mugabe, seed one sailed to the final easily with a 6-1,6-2 win over Rwandan seed five Olivier Havugimana while unseeded Changawa defeated unseeded Ugandan David Oringa 6-1 6-1 to book a final spot.
Speaking to KT Sports, Mugabe said, “I am happy having reached the final. It has not been easy but this is all due to hard work. I will have to concentrate on my play during the final and ensure that I win because am aiming for the title.”
Kenyan Changawa was also delighted having cemented a final spot. He said, “It’s good having overcame the challenge from Ugandan Oringa to seal a place in the finals. I will be facing a tough opponent in Mugabe, so I am ready for him and hopefully, I will reign over him to lift the title.”
In the women category, Burundian seed ive Hosiane Kitambala defeated Kenyan Shufaa Changawa 6-2 6-1 to set up a final match against country mate seed two Aisha Niyonkuru who edged Rwandan Giselle Umumararungu 6-2 6-2.
In the doubles men’s category, Rwandan Hamisi Gatete alongside Ugandan Duncan Mugabe defeated Burundian Issa Cuma and Abdoul Shakuru Kaburu of Burundi 6-3 6-3.
Kenyan Kevin Cheruiyot alongside Ugandan David Oringa defeated Kenyan duo of Ibrahim Kibet and Ismael Changawa Mzai 6-2 6-3.
Rwandan Hamisi Gatete alongside Ugandan Duncan Mugabe takes on Kenyan Kevin Cheruiyot alongside Ugandan David Oringa in the final of the men’s doubles category at 13:30.
In the women’s double category slated at 13:30, Burundian pair of Kitambala and Niyokuru take on Kenya duo of Changawa and Juliete Cherono.
Burundian pair of Hosiane Kitambala and Aisha Niyokuru beat Rwanda duo of Giselle Umumararungu and Megane Ingabire 6-2 6-3 while Kenyan duo of Shufaa Changawa and Juliete Cherono defeated Rwandan pair of Cyiza Firdaus and Olive Tuyisenge respectively.
The 2017 Rwanda Open attracted 143 players from Burundi, Kenya, Uganda, Belgium, Italy, Tanzania, Sweden, Nepal, DR Congo and the hosts Rwanda.
The winners of the Singles title in both genders will take home US$1000 in prize money, while the doubles’ winners will get US$500, while the Wheelchair tennis champions will earn US$300.
