Mathew Uwizeyimana won the 2014 Goma Tennis Open after defeating Burundian Sayid Nkurunziza in straight sets 6-3, 6-3 in the final played on Tuesday in Goma, DR Congo. Mathew Uwizeyimana “I am so excited about this victory,” he said, adding that, “We have been participating in this tournament every year since its inauguration in 2010 but without much success as the Congolese have been dominating it, so to win it this year means a lot to me.” The tournament which started on December 26, attracted three countries including Rwanda, Burundi and Congo. Rwanda was represented by three players—Uwizeyimana, Etienne Niyigena and Anatole Bizimana. Rwanda’s number one tennis player, Jean Claude Gasigwa pulled out of the tournament on the very last hour due to personal reasons. Bizimana and Niyigena both lost in the first round and semi-finals respectively. On his way to the final, Uwizeyimana defeated Burundian, Michael Ngarukiye in the first round and last year’s champion Boney Kasusule in the semi-finals. Uwizeyimana, who ranked third in Rwanda, walked away with Rwf350,000 in cash prize on top of the trophy. It is the second title of the year for the 25-year-old, who also won the Liberation tournament in July. editorial@newtimes.co.rw
