Local duo bows out of Rwanda Tennis Open

Today: Semi-finals Men’s SinglesD. Mugabe (UG) vs S. Nkufula (DRC) 12pmD. Indondo (DRC) vs I. Kibet (KEN) 1:15pm Women’s SinglesS. Changawa Shufa (KEN) vs C. Wantona (DRC) 12pmM. Ingabire (Rwa) vs O. Nancy (DRC) 1:15pm AmateursT. Bahati (Rwa) vs K. Nziza (Rwa) 3:15pmV. Kabirigi (Rwa) vs C. Kaningu (Rwa) 3:15pm Doubles final MenD. Indondo (DRC) & S. Nkulufa (DRC) vs D. Habiyambere (Rwa) & O. Havugimana (Rwa) 3pm WomenS. Changawa (KEN) & O. Nancy (DRC) vs M. Ingabire (Rwa) and G. Umumararungu (Rwa) 5pm Rwanda’s Ernest Habiyambere (seed one) and Olivier Havugimana (seed two) were bundled out of the ongoing Rwanda Tennis Open quarter-finals on Friday, a Kenyan, Ugandan and Congolese to fight for US$1000 prize money. The 18-year old Habiyambere was defeated by Kenya’s number two Ibrahim Kibet in three sets; 3-6, 6-3 and 6-0. Kibet had earlier on Thursday eliminated Rwanda’s number three Dieudonne Habiyambere in the second round. Kibet, who has emerged as serious title contender, faces DR Congo’s Denis Indondo in today’s semi-finals at 11:30am. Indondo reached the semi-finals after beating Uganda’s number two David Oringa in straight sets 6-1, 6-1. DR Congo’s Surma Nkulufa beat Rwanda’s seed two Havugimana also in three sets; 5-7, 7-5 and 6-3 to set up a semi-final clash with Uganda’s top seed and title favourite Duncan Mugabe, who defeated Kenya’s Kevin Cheriote 6-3, 6-3 in the last eight. Meanwhile, in the women category, Rwanda’s number one Meganne Ingabire remains on course to win the Women’s Singles top cash prize of US$750. The 28-year old faces DR Congo’s Onyo Nancy in the second semi-finals, which will be preceded by the match between Kenya’s Shufa Changawa and DR Congo’s Charlenne Wantona. She also has a chance to win the title when she pairs with Rwanda’s number two Gisele Umumararungu in the final of the doubles category where they face Changawa and Onyo. The men’s doubles finals will be contested between Rwanda’s Habiyambere and Havugimana against DR Congo’s Indondo and Nkulufa. editorial@newtimes.co.rw

Sports

Local duo bows out of Rwanda Tennis Open