Finals

J.C Gasigwa bt O. Nkunda 3-6 6-3 7-6 (men)
G.Umumararungu bt F. Cyiza 6-4 4-6 6-0 (ladies)

JEAN Claude Gasigwa upset the form book as he won the first leg of the national tennis championship at Cercle Sportif, Rugunga on Sunday.

Despite dropping the first set (3-6) against Olivier Nkunda, the country’s top seed showed why he is highly rated as he quickly recovered to cruise through the second and third sets (6-3 7-6).

Gasigwa, who also won in the doubles category after teaming up with Mathieu Uwizeyimana has now switched his focus to next month’s Tanga Cement Open in Tanzania where Rwf579,000 will be dished out to the winner.

"The national championship has been a good preparation ground for the Tanzania event,” he said.

"I’m now looking around for sponsorship because I know that I have a good chance of winning in Tanzania.”
Gisele Umumararungu lifted the ladies’ singles trophy with a 6-4 4-6 6-0 win over Cyiza Filadaus.

At the end of the three-day event, the local tennis federation selected eight juniors to compete in next month’s 12 & under and 14 & under ITF regional tennis championships in Burundi.

Jules Ndibwami, Ernest Habiyambere, Bryan Ndahiro and Olivier Tuyisenge will compete in the 12 & under category from August 8-16 while Olivier Havugimana, David Uwimana and Prince Ishimwe will fly Rwanda’s flag in the first leg of the 14 and Under African championship from August 17-24.

Ends