Jean Claude Gasigwa is keen to erase his miserable run on hard court surfaces when he opens his campaign in the Confederation of African Tennis (CAT)-Tanzania money circuit at Dar el Salaam’s Gymkhana Sports Club today.

The Rwandan ace, buoyed by his success this year starts his quest in the US$4,500 with three other Rwandans; Dieudonne Habiyambere, Olivier Nkunda and Mathieu Uwizeyimana.

Ahead of the yesterday’s draws, the 26-year-old acknowledged that the top prize (US$850) is within reach but also conceded that he will not succumb to the pressure of urgency.

"Playing well on hard court and winning the tournament – I think I can do those things, but it may take time,” said Gasigwa, seed two in the four-day competition.

"Some guys mature young and others it takes a bit longer. I have to be more patient and more consistent, and if I can keep that mentality and not get ahead of myself and fight through the matches when I’m not playing well, then I can do it.”

Over the years, Rwanda’s tennis players have struggled to fight their groove on hard court partly because they are not exposed to these kinds of surfaces.

"We don’t have hard court surfaces in Rwanda so it is always hard to make quick adjustments in hard court tournaments,” he added.

Gasigwa heads into this tournament on the back of a doubles win in last week’s CAT-Kenya money circuit.

Gasigwa, teaming up with Kenya’s Francis Rogoi thrashed Dzuwa and Otu Gabriel (Nigeria) in straight sets 6-2, 6-4 to claim US$300 each.

He was also a losing finalist in the singles after a thriller 4-6, 7-6, 6-7 defeat against Zimbabwe’s Martin Dzuwa.

The final is reportedly said to have gone down as one of the most contested in recent years. Dzuwa is the top seed in Dar el Salaam.

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