Gasigwa powers into quarter final at Kenya Open

RWANDA’S TOP SEED Jean Claude Gasigwa floored Zambia’s Jamin Luvembe to reach the quarter final round of the on-going Real Insurance Kenya Open tennis tournament in Nairobi, Kenya.

Tuesday, June 17, 2014
Top seed Jean Claude Gasigwa is primed for Kenya Tennis Open title. File

Real Insurance Kenya Open 

Second round, Yesterday

J. Gasigwa (Rwa) def. J. Luvembe (Zam) 6-3 6-2

M. Uwizeyimana (Rwa) def. J. Lembris (Tan) 6-2 6-2

K. Cheruiyot (Ken) def. O. Havugimana (Rwa) 6-3 6-0

D. Mugabe (Uga) def. S. Nkurunziza (Bur) 6-3 7-5

K. Mohammed (Ken) def. S. Otupio (DRC) 3-6 6-4 7-5

E. Kazende (Zam) def. A. Saha (Ken) 6-2 6-2

D. Oringa (Uga) def. I. Kibet (Ken) 7-5 2-6 6-1 

M. Changawa (Ken) def. J. Rogoi (Ken) 6-0 6-0

Quarter final, Today

Gasigwa vs. Mohammed

Uwizeyimana vs. Mugabe

Cheruiyot vs. Kazembe

Oringa vs. Changawa

RWANDA’S TOP SEED Jean Claude Gasigwa floored Zambia’s Jamin Luvembe to reach the quarter final round of the on-going Real Insurance Kenya Open tennis tournament in Nairobi, Kenya.

Gasigwa edged Luvembe 6-3 6-2 in straight sets to set up a quarter final clash against another Kenyan Khan Mohammed. Mohammed saw off DR Congo’s Saidi Otupio 3-6 6-4 7-5.

Seed seven Mathieu Uwizeyimana maintained his cool as he extended his brilliant performances beating Tanzania’s Jacobs Lembris 6-2 6-2 in straight sets. He is up against defending champion Ugandan Duncan Mugabe in today’s quarter final.

The 22-year-old Mugabe, who won his first Kenya Open in 2010, retained it in 2011 before relinquishing it to Kazembe in 2012. Kazembe eliminated Burundian Said Nkurunziza 6-3 7-5 in the second round.

Should Gasigwa win today’s match, he will set up a semi final rivalry clash against three-time winner Duncan Mugabe.

Mugabe outclassed Gasigwa 5-7 6-2 6-1 in last year’s final. "I am here not only to reach the final but to win the Open,” said Gasigwa.

Olivier Havugimana didn’t progress to the last eight as he lost to Kenyan Kevin Cheruiyot (Ken) 3-6 0-6 in straight sets. Cheruiyot faces Zambian Kazembe in the quarter final after the Zambian also edged Kenya’s Allan Saha 6-2 6-2.

Fifth seed Ugandan David Oringa defeated Kenya’s Ibrahim Kibet 7-5 2-6 6-1 to set up a quarter final clash against Kenya’s Changawa Mzai who had an easy sail against fellow country mate Francis Rogoi which he won 6-0 6-0.

The one-week event, which has attracted over 200 players from 15 counties, has reached the main draw which is being staged at the Nairobi Club and Public Service Club.

Kenya has the highest turnout with 40 players; Uganda has nine while Burundi has six. USA, Zambia, Rwanda and Tanzania are represented by five apiece; Canada has brought four players while Great Britain has two. Zimbabwe, DRC, German, Japan, Sweden and Slovakia have one player each.