Gasigwa is keen to win inaugural Nyarutarama Open.
Yesterday
Quarter-finals
Gasigwa (1) bt Rukundo 6-3, 6-4
Habiyambere (2) bt Ntaheranwa 2-6, 6-2, 6-2
Nkunda (3) bt Uwizeyimana 6-1, 6-3
Havugimana bt Habiyambere 7-6, 6-2, 6-1
Rwanda’s top three players are all through to semi-finals of the inaugural Nyarutarama Open tennis tournament taking place at Nyarutarama tennis club.
Seed three Olivier Nkunda brushed aside Mathieu Uwizeyimana in quarter-finals on yesterday in straight sets 6-1, 6-3 to book a place in tomorrow’s semi-finals against the pre-tournament favourite and top seed Jean Claude Gasigwa.
“My semi-final clash with Gasigwa will be a do-or-die match for me, playing against the favourite is never an easy task but I will do my best to upset him,” NKunda told Saturday Sport after his quarter-final win.
Title favourite, Gasigwa also won in straight sets 6-3, 6-4 against Emmanuel Rukundo. Gasigwa eliminated Justin Nkuranga in second round on Wednesday.
Dieudonne Habiyambere, who is seeded second, recovered from losing the first set to beat Justin Ntaheranwa in three sets 2-6, 6-2, 6-2.
In the last quarter-final tie, Olivier Havugimana beat Ernest Habiyambere in three sets 7-6, 6-2, 6- to book a slot in semi-finals against Dieudonne Habiyambere.
The amateurs’ competitions will start on Monday.
By Richard Bishumba,The New Times
