Gasigwa, Umumararungu reach tennis ranking final

Tennis Ranking TournamentSemi final, YesterdayMenM. Uwizeyimana bt M. Harerimana (6-2, 2-0-retired)J.C Gasigwa bt D. Habiyambere (0-6, 7-6, 6-2)Women G. Umumararungu bt F. Kiza (6-4, 5-7, 6-1)M. Ingabire bt O.Tuyisenge (6-4,6-3)Finals SundayJ.C Gasigwa vs M.UwizeyimanaG.Umumararungu vs M.IngabireTop seeds favourites Jean Claude Gasigwa and Gisele Umumararungu marched into the finals of this year’s national player-ranking tennis tournament after putting on brilliant performances in the tough semi final clashes yesterday at Cerle Sportif in Rugunga, Kigali City.Gasigwa started poorly losing the first set 0-6. He then recovered with his hard serving tactic to beat rival Dieudonne Habiyambere in the remaining two sets 7-6 6-2.Meanwhile, Mathieu Uwizeyimana powered himself into the final with less work which saw him dispatch Mubarak Harelimana 6-2 2-0 before the latter retired with an arm injury.Uwizeyimana who also played in the Uganda Open final where he lost to Uganda’s David Olinga recently had strong serves that stretched Harelimana abandoning the game in the second set.Despite reaching the final, Gasigwa is worried his opponent has a slight advantage in Sunday’s final.“Uwizeyimana is in good form and is riding on a lot of confidence after reaching the Uganda Open final. The best will win the title on Sunday,” said Gasigwa.In the women category, Umumararungu saw off Fridaus Kiza 6-4 5-7 6-1 to set up a final clash against Megan Ingabire who defeated Oliver Tuyisenge 6-4 6-3 in straight sets.According to the chairman of the Rwanda Tennis Federation (RTF) Théoneste Karenzi, the tournament was staged to increase the level of competition among local players as well as improving the level of the sport in the country.The tournament is going to determine top seeds in the country, thus boost competition among youngsters.

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Gasigwa, Umumararungu reach tennis ranking final