It’s an all-Rwandan final in Uganda Open

RWANDA’S top seeds Jean Claude Gasigwa and Dieudonne Habiyambere set up an all-Rwandan final at the 2013 Castle Lite Uganda Open Tennis Championships at the Kampala Club.

Saturday, March 23, 2013
Gasigwa (left) is wary of the challenge posed by his close pal Habiyambere (right) when the two clash in final of Rwanda Tennis Open today. Saturday Sport / File.

Men’s semi finals, yesterdayD. Oringa [Uga] 3-6, 3-6 D. Habiyambere D. Mugabe [Uga] 4-6, 6-7 [5] J. C Gasigwa Final, TodayGasigwa     vs    HabiyambereRWANDA’S top seeds Jean Claude Gasigwa and Dieudonne Habiyambere set up an all-Rwandan final at the 2013 Castle Lite Uganda Open Tennis Championships at the Kampala Club.On Friday, Gasigwa beat pre-tournament favourite Duncan Mugabe 6-4, 7-6 [5], while Dieudonne Habiyambere sent another Ugandan and defending champion David Oringa packing in straight sets 6-3 6-3.Defeating Mugabe was a sweet revenge as the Rwandan has had a near perfect expedition in Uganda which was only broken by current Uganda Open champion David Oringa, who beat him in previous tournaments.Gasigwa, who is making his second consecutive final in his 10th appearance at the Uganda Open, told Saturday Sport that reaching the final of Uganda’s top tennis championship shows that the standard of the game in Rwanda has improved."We are happy that we’re going to be play each in the final in a foreign country, this is a sign that our tennis is catching up with the rest of the region,” he said.Gasigwa admitted he expects a tough challenge against his local rival and close pal Habiyambere with whom they have fought so many battles on the court. The event supported by main sponsors Nile Breweries Limited (UBL) through their Castle Lite brand and Housing Finance Bank will climax on Saturday with the finals for the seniors and the veterans.  The Rwandan pair will be battling for a trophy and cash prizes of Ugshs2.5 million [Rwf600, 000].Meanwhile, Under-14 player Ernest Habiyambere was eliminated in the semi finals of the Africa Junior Championship after losing to Ratsimandresy of Madagascar in a tight match which ended 7-5, 7-5 at Nairobi club yesterday.