HARARE - Zimbabwe's top seed Takanyi Garanganga sailed through to the second round of the ongoing Twenty Third Centuries International Futures tournament after beating veteran Martin Dzuwa yesterday.

The United States-based Garanganga outclassed former Zimbabwe Davis Cup player Dzuwa in straight sets 6-0, 6-3, justifying his status as the country’s brightest tennis prospect of his generation.

With the match firmly in the bag and his ageing opponent visibly tired, the All-Africa Games gold medallist wrapped up the match with a clinical display in the second set, winning three consecutive games to clinch victory.

Garanganga will now face Phenyo Matong, an experienced player from Botswana, in the second round of the tournament. Matong booked his second round berth after beating Israel’s Aviv Darmon 6-4, 6-2 on Monday.

“I’m happy and I will be even happier if I scooped the title,” Garanganga told the Daily News after the match.

“I wouldn’t like to talk about my next opponent but personally I don’t think this should be viewed as an extraordinary challenge for me.”

Meanwhile, in a fiercely-contested tie, Zimbabwe’s Mark Fynn stormed into the second round after beating Italy’s Alessandro Bega 7-6(5) 7-6(5) yesterday.

Fynn will now meet Lloyd Segal of South Africa, who battled to overcome fellow countryman Dylan Bernatzk 7-5, 1-6, 6-1 in the first round.

Ronzai Saurombe bowed out of the tournament early after falling victim to Spain’s Martin Salazar.

German’s Adriano Quinti beat Japan’s Yu Takahashi 6-4, 6-2 to also seal passage to the second round.

South African Ruan Roelorfse edged United States’ Joel Kincaid 6-2, 7-6 (2) while American Spencer Feldman outclassed Czech Republic’s Lukas Marsoun 6-1, 6-4 to secure her second round ticket. - Blessings Mashaya