ITF Men’s Futures
Main draw (First round)
- Today

JC Gasigwa vs Ruan Roelofse (S.Africa)
Tomorrow
D.Habiyambere vs Vovk Stanislav (RUS)

Qualifying round

1st round
O.Nkunda           (RWA) bt K. Kamal (IND) 6-4 6-0
M.Uwizeyimana (RWA) bt V. Javadi (IND) 6-4 3-6 6-2
M.Bizimana        (RWA) lost F. Bibilani (ARG) 2-6 3-6

2nd round

M.Uwizeyimana 1-6 1-6 Kim Cheong
O.Nkunda           4-6 3-6  Filenkov Alexei (RUS)

FOR the last eight years, no Rwandan has made it past the second round of the prestigious ITF Men’s Futures and it remains to be seen if that jinx will be finally broken this week at Laico hotel.

After premature exits for Olivier Nkunda, Mathieu Uwizeyimana and Melee Bizimana in the qualification round, Rwanda’s hopes rest on the shoulders of Jean Claude Gasigwa and Dieudonne Habiyambere.

Gasigwa, who is making his third appearance in the competition, is in action this morning against Ruan Roelofse of South Africa.

Roelofse, who is ranked 763 in the world, had the better of Gasigwa last year (6-3 6-4) but Rwanda’s top seed is ready to take the game to the South Africa.

"He is good at the ‘serve and volley’ technique so I will try to keep him away from the net. He has played more competitions than me so that is a plus for him but I feel fine physically and will do what I do best-give my all,” Gasigwa said.

After his singles’ challenge, Gasigwa will team up with Japan’s Yu Takahashi in doubles. Habiyambere is not in action until Tuesday against Russia’s Vovk Stanislas.

Only four local players have qualified for the second round of the competition and they include Eric Hagenimana, Allan Hakizimana, Eric Uwamahoro and Olivier Nkunda. Netherlands’ Matwe Middelkoop is the man to beat this year.

Qualifying round

Nkunda had an easy ride in the first round of the qualifying phase after beating India’s Kshitij Kamal 6-4 6-0 but then lost out to Russia’s Filenkov Alexei 4-6 3-6 in the second round.

Uwizeyimana also trounced India’s Vishiwanath Javadi 6-4 3-6 6-2 but fell to South Korea’s Kim Cheong 1-6 1-6.

Ends