Simba Cement Open

Singles final, Yesterday

J.C Gasigwa def. G. Iradukunda 6-3, 1-6, 8-6
Doubles

Gasigwa/Nkunda lost to Iradukunda/Ntwali 3-6 6-3 4-6

SEED one Jean Claude Gasigwa beat Burundi’s Guy Iradukunda to win this year’s edition of Simba Cement Open in the final played yesterday at Gymkhana Club in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Gasigwa thrashed Iradukunda in three sets 6-3 1-6 8-6. He won the first set before the Burundian retaliated to take the second set. The winner was decided on a tie break 8-6.

However, Gasigwa could not maintain his form when he paired with Olivier Nkunda in the doubles’ category. The pair lost the doubles title to Iradukunda and Ntwali Ket 3-6 6-3 4-6.

Gasigwa pocketed $1000 for the singles victory and shared $300 with Nkunda in the doubles’ category consolation prize. Iradukunda was consoled with $750 in singles and had a share of the $500 with Ntwali for the doubles’ category title.

This is Gasigwa’s second victory in a space of two years. In 2009, he won the Simba Cement open edition before losing the 2010 to Ugandan rival Duncan Mugabe.

The national champion returns home tomorrow to start his preparation for the All Africa Games. He is among the four-man team named to compete in the tennis tournament in Maputo.

After being dropped from last year’s Davis Cup team, Gasigwa returned back to the dressing room to up his training which saw him gain quality form to snatch the ITF East Africa Money Circuit second leg held in Kigali last month.

Other players on Maputo quest are Dieudonne Habiyambere, Mathieu Uwizeyimana and Anatole Bizimana.

Ends