Havugimana optimistic ahead of 2016 Rwanda Tennis Open

RWANDA’Stennis number two Olivier Havugimana has said he expects to shine at the forthcoming highly anticipated third edition of Rwanda Tennis Open slated for September 16- 26 at Amahoro National Stadium outdoor tennis courts. The 20-year-old is among the favourite local tennis players expected to challenge for the title against the regional stars that will grace the event. He is currently getting through his paces at Cercile sportif de Kigali hoping to win his first professional title since joining the ranks in 2014. “This is a great tournament to me, I am ready to fight for the title with the regional best tennis stars and hopefully I can win my first title at home turf,” Havugimana told Times Sport Rwanda Open, which was last held in the year 2001, will attract the top players from the East African region. On top of the trophy, the winner will also take home US$1,000 (men) and US$750 (women) in cash prize. “For the past years, we (Rwanda players) have been competing in various regional tournaments but losing at the semi-finals…we have to defy odds at home and win this competition,” he vowed The ten-day event is organised by Rwanda Tennis Federation in collaboration with the Ministry of Sports and Culture (MINISPOC) and will attract both amateurs and professionals in the men and women categories. The Amateurs event kicks off on September 15 before the professionals’ category on September 20. Other Rwandans expected to compete in the tourney include seed one Ernest Habiyambere (men) and Meganne Ingabire (women). Others are seed 3 Dieudonne Habiyambere (men) and Gisele Umumararungu, the female category seed 2. editorial@newtimes.co.rw