Tennis youngsters fall short again

ITF E.Africa 18 & Under Circuit (2nd leg) Yesterday’s results Second round A. Bizimana (5-7, 1-6) H. Ndayishimiye (BUR) M. Bizimana (3-6, 0-6) T. Wilson (AUS) M. Rukana (0-6, 0-6) S. Hart (ENG) O. Havugimana (0-6, 1-6) T. Tapfuna (ZIM) O. Nsengimana (0-6, 0-6) I. Raul (MOR) M. Rukundo (0-6, 0-6) M. Albert (EGY) IT was a sad day for local tennis as Rwanda failed to post a player in the last eight of the ITF East Africa 18 & Under second leg. Anatole Bizimana was the first victim of the day as he lost out to Burundi’s Hassan Ndayishimiye 5-7, 1-6 at Cercle Sportif. Mele Bizimana followed the exit chamber after a 3-6, 0-6 loss against Australia’s Thomas Wilson. Musa Rukana did not trouble the scorer on his way to a humiliating 0-6, 0-6 defeat against England’s Sam Hart while Olivier Havugimana, Obed Nsengimana and Musa Rukundo also lost out to Tendai Tapfuna (Zimbabwe), Morocco’s Ismail Raoul and Albert Mina of Egypt.Rwanda’s team coach Sylvain Rutikanga blamed the dismal show to high quality opponents. “Foreign players in this tournament are at a much higher level that our players so that is why it was so hard for our players to make a meaningful challenge today.” 21 countries including Sweden, England, Germany, Kenya and South Africa are taking part in the tourney. The third leg will also be staged in Kigali. Ends

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Tennis youngsters fall short again