HARARE - Top Seed Takanyi Garanganga powered through to the finals of the ongoing Twenty Third Centuries International Futures tournament after beating South Africa’s Ruan Roelofse yesterday.

The US-based rising star was stretched to a 7-6(5), 6-4 win, to maintain his unbeaten record at the tournament.

Garanganga will now meet South African Keith Crowley, who beat America’s Evan Song 6-3, 1-6, 6-4 in the other semifinal.

The first set was a tighter affair as the pair traded breaks, with Roelofse even earning a couple of set points as he impressed early in the tie-break.

Garanganga, 22, dominated the last set, breaking a sloppy Roelofse, as he exploited the South African’s inability to use his first serves to great effect.

The second set was almost as one-sided as Roelofse struggled to make any impact.

 “To be honest, he was the better player throughout the first set. I managed to stay mentally tough and fight my way through,” Garanganga told the Daily News after the match.

“Roelofse gave me a good run especially in the first set. He had a couple of good volleys and made some really good saves.

“It was not like a stroll in the park because he played well, but maybe not as consistently as he would have loved.

“I’m happy with my performance today, beating a second seed of the tournament and a very good player. I just played to my strength.”

Garanganga is confident ahead of today’s clash.

“I’m prepared for tomorrow’s (today) game.

“However, I would not like to talk much about my next opponent but personally I do not think this should be viewed as an extraordinary challenge for me,” he said. -
Blessings Mashaya