Nkunda vows to give Gasigwa a run for his money

Rwanda’s number one tennis player Jean Claude Gasigwa faces-off number three seeded Olivier Nkunda in the second semi-final of the inaugural Nyarutama Open at Nyarutarama tennis club on Sunday.

Saturday, August 24, 2013
Gasigwa is the overwhelming favorite to win the Nyarutarama tennis Open. Sunday Sport/File

Today

Second semi-finalGasigwa (1)  vs  NKunda (3) - 1pm 

Rwanda’s number one tennis player Jean Claude Gasigwa faces-off number three seeded Olivier Nkunda in the second semi-final of the inaugural Nyarutama Open at Nyarutarama tennis club on Sunday.

Pre-tournament favorite, Gasigwa, on his way through to last four, eliminated Eric Uwamahoro in first round, Justin NKuranga in second round and Emmanuel Rukundo in quarter-finals.

Seed three Nkunda beat Claude Habanabakize in first round, Jean Claude Tiganna in second round and number five-seeded Mathieu Uwizeyimana in quarters on Friday.

In an interview with Sunday Sport, Gasigwa said, "My focus is winning the title and I can’t make it if I lose tomorrow’s (today) semi-final.  Nkunda is a strong opponent and can give me hard time and I will need to on top of may game of I am to reach the final.”

In a separate interview, Nkunda told this paper, "The pre-match odds are on Gasigwa to win but I will be out there to give a run for his money.”

The first semi-final between seed two, Dieudonne Habiyambere against number six, Olivier Havugimana, was played on Saturday evening.