HARARE - Tennis Zimbabwe (TZ) will next month send 10 junior players for the International Tennis Federation (ITF) Under-18 African Junior Championships in South Africa.

The event will run from  February 18 to 23 in Potchefstroom.

Zimbabwe will be represented by Valeria Bhunu, Nicole Dzenga, Thabile Tshatebi, Latifah Yasini and Zahra Finidan in the girls’ category while Ronzai Saurombe, Courtney Lock, Taremedzwa Mariga, Alwyn Mushonga and Luca Picci will fly the country’s flag in the boys’ section.

“So far we have seven players that automatically qualify to play in the tournament,” TZ administrator Cliff Nhokwara told the Daily News yesterday.
“Mariga, Picci and Mushonga will be hoping to make it as wild card entries.”

Last year, Lock reached quarter-finals, losing to Egyptian and eventual winner Karrim Hossam 6-2 6-1.

In the girl’s category last year, Valeria Bhunu and Vimbai Rugaro failed to make an impression.

Nhokwara said the association expects an improved performance from the Zimbabwean contingent this year as some of the players have since gained valuable experience from futures tournaments and the South African junior circuit. - Blessings Mashaya