Rwanda Tennis Open: Habiyambere stunned as Mugabe, Indondo reach quarters

Title hopeful Dieudonne Habiyambere was the first big name to suffer an early exit on Thursday in the ongoing Rwanda Tennis Open as other top contenders Duncan Mugabe from Uganda and DRC’s Denis Indondo advanced to today’s quarter-finals.

Friday, September 23, 2016
Dieudonne Habiyambere of Rwanda reacts during the match against Kenya's Ibrahim Kibet, who won the second round battle in straight sets. (S. Ngendahimana)

Today 

Men’s Singles quarter-finals

10am

D. Indondo (DRC)             vs            D. Oringa (UG)

E. Habiyambere (Rwa)   vs            I. Kibet (KEN)

11:15am

 O. Havugimana (Rwa)   vs            S.  Nkulufa (DRC)

1:15pm

D. Mugabe (UG)               vs            K. Cheriote (KEN)

Men’s Doubles semi-finals

2pm

D. Indondo (DRC) & S. Nkulufa(DRC) vs O. Mohamed (TZ) & E. Niyigena (Rwa)

3pm

O. Havugimana (Rwa) & D. Habiyambere (Rwa) vs I. Kibet (KEN) and K. Cheriote (KEN)

Women Doubles semi-finals

2pm

E. Kwizera (Rwa) & J. Umulisa (Rwa) vs M. Ingabire (Rwa) and G. Umumararungu (Rwa)

3pm

S. Changawa (KEN) & O. Nancy (DRC) vs O. Tuyisenge (Rwa) & C. Mutuyimana (Rwa)

Title hopeful Dieudonne Habiyambere was the first big name to suffer an early exit on Thursday in the ongoing Rwanda Tennis Open as other top contenders Duncan Mugabe from Uganda and DRC’s Denis Indondo advanced to today’s quarter-finals.

Former Rwanda number one, Habiyambere was beaten by Kenya’s number two, Ibrahim Kibet in straight sets; 6-4, 7-6 at Amahoro National Stadium tennis courts, hence ending his chase for the U$1000 prize money.

The reigning African champion Indondo (winner of 2015 All African Games) faces Uganda’s number two David Oringa in the quarter-finals at 10am on court one. Oringa reached the quarter-finals after beating Burundian Saidi Nkurunziza 6-1, 6-1.

Mugabe, who is the firm favourite to win the competition, has also continued his winning streak after he easily overcame Rwanda’s Robert Ndagijimana 6-1, 6-0 to set up a quarter-final meeting with Kenya’s Kevin Cheriote at 1:15pm on court one.

Rwanda’s number one, Ernest Habiyambere also reached the last eight after beating Mussa Hakizimana from Burundi 6-2, 6-1 to set up a meeting withKibet while Olivier Havugimana, ranked second in Rwanda, locks horns with DR Congo’s Shufa Nkulufa in the other quarter-final tie.

In the women category, Rwanda’s number two Gisele Umumararungu also was knocked out of the competition in the quarter-finals by Kenyan number Shufa Changawa in straight sets 6-4,6-4.

However, top seeded Meganne Ingabire and DR Congo’s Onyo Nancy and Charlote Wantona also progressed to tomorrow’s semi-finals.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw