Rwanda junior tennis team was eliminated from the ITF/East Africa U-18 youth circuit after its players failed to go past the first round of the third leg staged at Parklands Sports Club in Nairobi, Kenya.

Despite having intensive preparations for the third leg after a rough exit from the second leg held in Uganda last week, the Rwandan players failed to impress in Kenya.

In the boys’ singles category, Cekina Niyonshuti lost to Burundi international Armour Ndayikeza 4-6 1-6 to bow out of the race for the lucrative youth circuit.

Melee Bizimana didn’t cause any stiff challenge on seed number seven and Egyptian born Zaki Abdelehman as he lost comfortably lost the game 2-6 4-6.

In the girls’ and singles category, upcoming star Liz Karenzi lost to seed number two James Hannah of Great Britain 0-6 0-6.

Faruduwusi Kiza lost to Burundi star Sakina Nshimiyimana 2-6 2-6.

The poor show in the singles followed Rwanda’s representatives even in the doubles event.

Niyonshuti who combined with Bizimana failed to stop the rampant top seeds Duncan Mugabe and seed number two Mbonisi Ndimande.

They lost the game 3-6 4-6.
Karenzi and Kiza lost to Sarah Celephande and Nicole Zachariah 1-6 1-6 respectively.

Speaking to Times Sport on Monday, the national team head coach Thierry Ntwali said that the experience gained from the three week circuit will help in elevating the tennis standards of the youngsters as well as the country.

"Our players really faced challenges and these are some of the experiences that they will work on in order to elevate their personal skills aimed at performing better next year,” Ntwali said.

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.

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