Rwanda’s women number one Megane Ingabire on Saturday failed in her bid to win her first Uganda Tennis Open title after losing to Kenya’s Shuffa Changawa at Lugogo Tennis complex in Kampala.

The 27-year old lost to Changawa in straight sets 6-3, 6-1, a day after she was eliminated in the mixed double semi-finals with counterpart Dieudonne Habiyambere by Shamim Mayanja and Duncan Mugabe 6-4, 2-6 and 12-10.

Speaking to Times Sport by phone from Kampala, Ingabire attributed her defeat to inexperience, "I tried to play my game as best as I could but she deserved to win because she is more experienced.” 

The pair had last met in May this year during the Tanzania Open and Changawa won in three sets 7-5, 6-4, 6-4.Meanwhile, Uganda’s number one Duncan Mugabe beat counterpart David Oringa to win the men’s singles title. Mugabe defeated Oringa 6-4, 6-2 to win the Uganda Open for the third time after 2010 and 2011.

In the mixed doubles final, Ibrahim Kibet paired with Changawa beat Shamim Mayanja and Mugabe 6-2, 6-2.

The men and women singles’ winners walked away with $800 (about Rwf597,200 ) and $600 (aprox. Rwf447, 900) respectively.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw