ITF/CAT E. African Money Circuit

D. Mugabe (Ug) bt. C. Niyonshuti (Rwa) 6-1, 6-1
J.C. Gasigwa (Rwa) bt. M. Otiti (Ug) 6-1, 6-0
D. Habiyambere (Rwa) bt. R. Buyinza (Ug) 7-5, 6-3
O. Nkunda (Rwa) bt. M. Munyentwari (Rwa) 6-0, 6-0

BIG guns Duncan Mugabe, Jean Claude Gasigwa and Dieudonne Habiyambere enjoyed contrasting straight set victories in the opening round of the Kigali leg ITF/CAT East African Money Circuit.

Rwanda’s top seed and seed three at the tournament Gasigwa, thrashed Uganda’s Moses Otiti 6-1, 6-0 inside one hour to set up a second round clash with Ernest Kayiranga. After the win, Gasigwa said that he hopes to carry on with the same tempo.

"It was a great and I’m now looking forward to the next round,” he said.

Kayiranga progressed to the second round after a marathon 6-2, 3-6, 7-6 victory over Uwamahoro.

Habiyambere, Rwanda’s seed two recovered from a shaky start to post a hard fought 7-5, 6-3 victory over Uganda’s Robert Buyinza.

The 23-year-old almost paid dearly for a series of sloppy serves and unforced errors.

Mugabe, winner of the Bujumbura leg and top seed in Kigali started his claim for more honours in top gear after seeing off Rwanda’s Cekina Niyonshuti 6-1, 6-1. After the win, the Ugandan tennis ace said that he was happy with his day’s performance.

"I played well today and hope to carry on in this fashion,” he said. By press time, Mugabe was warming up for his second round match with Mele Bizimana.

The four-day tournament is being played at Novotel Courts with over $4,500 worth of cash prizes at stake for the top performers.

Ends