KCB Tennis Open Semi-finals M. Dzuwa (Zim) v J.C Gasigwa (Rwa)D. Mugabe (Ug) v A. Cooper (Ken) A big crowd is expected to flock the Nairobi Club courts today as two of East Africa’s top tennis players renew their rivalry in the semi-finals of the lucrative KCB Tennis Open. Rwanda’s top seed Jean Claude Gasigwa, who recently revived his tennis career after back to back titles in Kigali and Kampala, takes on defending champion Martin Dzuwa on center court. Having lost to Dzuwa in the semi-finals of the East African Prize Money Circuit Bujumbura leg, Gasigwa bounced back in Kigali beating the Zimbabwean in the final and the 26-year-old is relishing a similar result today. “I have already beaten him once this season so I think I can do it again,” Gasigwa noted. On the other hand, Dzuwa believes that it is going to be a tough game. “It’s going to be very tight. He is playing sensational tennis of late and with his confidence so high, it’s going to be difficult for me,” the Zimbabwean observed. One other reason why Gasigwa should do well today is the fact that he is out of the doubles. Gasigwa together with his Kenyan compatriot Francis Rogoi were stunned yesterday when they lost to the Kenyan pair of Gabriel Otu and Yash Rawal 2-6, 4-6. After the shock defeat, Gasigwa said that he was entirely focused on today’s semi-final. En route the semis, it’s been more of a walk in the park for the country’s top seed. In the first round, Gasigwa thrashed Tanzania’s Charles Stephen 6-3, 6-4. He then followed it up with a 6-0, 6-3 second round win over Uganda’s Richard Ssemande before another commanding 6-1, 6-2 victory over Kenya’s Yash Rawal in the last eight. In the other semi-final, top seed Duncan Mugabe will have his title credentials tested by homeboy Allan Cooper. The finals are set for this Sunday. Ends
