Boys’ Doubles
Zaki Abdelehman & Hudi Rarish 4-6 2-6 bt Melee Bizimana & Cekina Niyonshuti

After getting eliminated at the preliminary stages in the first two weeks, Rwanda tennis junior player has put focus on the third and last leg of the ITF East Africa junior circuit due start over the weekend in Nairobi.

Speaking to Times Sport yesterday, Thierry Ntwali, Rwanda Tennis Federation technical director who is also coaching the youngsters said that despite the players’ early elimination in Burundi and Uganda, they have actually registered some improvement.
"After what happened in Burundi and again Uganda, our focus now is on the final leg in Nairobi.

"Although it has been disappointing in the first two legs, at least they have shown signs of improvement and I confident they can do a lot better in Nairobi.

"If they can only reach the quarterfinals, that would be a massive achievement, which would also give them a chance to improve on their ATP World junior rankings,” Ntwali said.

In Kampala, Rwanda’s pair of Melee Bizimana and Cekina Niyonshuti lost to Egyptian partnership of Zaki Abdelehman and Hudi Rarish 4-6 2-6 in the third round of the boys’ doubles played on Monday night.

Meanwhile, Uganda’s Duncan Mugabe defeated Egyptian Zaki Abdelrham 6-4 7-6 in the quarter-finals of the boys’ singles to set up a semifinal clash with Burundi’s Moussa Hakizimana.

The Ugandan leg which climaxed yesterday was sponsored by Brussels Airlines who have offered $10,000.

The third and final week is in Kenya where the Rwandan team is expected to this morning by road from Kampala.

Fifteen countries are taking part in the three-week International Tennis Tournament.
They include Rwanda, Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, South Africa, Burundi, Slovakia, Madagascar, Zimbabwe, Egypt, Russia, Portugal, Austria, Great Britain and India.
Ends