Rwanda’s seed three Olivier Nkunda wants to win the inaugural Nyarutarama Open (tennis tournament) to send a big statement to his rivals ahead of the forthcoming ITF Money Circuit event.
The Nyarutarama Open kicks off on Monday and will run through September 1 at Nyarutarama tennis club.
The 27-year old, who won last year’s doubles’ title of the ITF Money Circuit tournament alongside seed two Dieudonne Habiyambere, faces stiff challenge from local top seed Jean-Claude Gasigwa and Habiyambere.
Speaking to Times Sport ahead of the tournament, Nkunda said, “I know it won’t be easy but I am fit and ready for the challenge.”
“The tournament is also a good occasion to gauge myself in my preparation for the ITF Money Circuit,” he explained.
The inaugural tournament, organised by Nyarutarama tennis club, is expected to attract over 100 players in different categories, including Singles’ professional (men and women) and amateurs (singles and doubles in both genders).
Favourite Gasigwa will be the man to beat as he knows a win here would put him in good stead to defend his ITF Money Circuit singles title.
In some of the opening round matches, Nkunda starts his title quest against unseeded Claude Habanabakize; second-seeded Habiyambere takes on Ernest Kayiranga, while Gasigwa faces lowly ranked Eric Uwamahoro.
Today
Gasigwa (1) vs Uwamahoro
Habiyambere (2) vs Kayiranga
Nkunda (3) vs Habanabakize
By Richard Bishumba, The New Times