11 Jan 2015

Botswana junior players produced mixed results under sweltering heat on day one of the ITF/ CAT Southern African Junior Championships at the National Tennis Centre.

The eight day competition, featuring more than 100 young tennis players from 11 Southern African countries in the Under-16, 14 and 12 age categories, kicked-off in Gaborone on Saturday, January 10.

The championships have been divided into two tournaments carrying ranking points, with the first one ending in midweek, while the second one will finish next Saturday, January 17.

Nineteen players from Botswana were in action in the singles on day one; and seven of them managed to claim victories while the rest suffered early exits.

Thato Diane and Thato Tlhomelang progressed to the second round by defeating their counterparts from Swaziland in the Under16 boys category.

Tlhomelang coasted to a 6-4, 6-0 victory over Thuthukani Maziya in the first round while Diane saw off Thubelihle Maziya 6-4, 6-4.

However, both Newton Muchabaki and Kaone Motlhabane lost their first round matches to Andre Fernando (Angola) 6-0, 6-1 and Paul Shwiegers (Namibia) 6-2, 6-0 respectively.

Tsholofelo Tsiang handed Lethu Makhathu of Swaziland a 6-0, 6-0 drubbing in the Under-14 boys category to progress to round-two, while Tshepo Mosarwe who received a bye into round-two, progressed to the quarterfinals after defeating Noel Espitalier from Mauritius 6-1, 6-3.

Last year's finalist in the girls’ Under-14 category, Tshegofatso Tsiang also progressed to the quarterfinals after defeating Mwayiwathu Kadamanja from Malawi 6-2, 6-1 in round two. She had also received a bye in round one. Botswana Tennis Association secretary general, Boikobo Gaolebalwe said the finals of the first tournament would be played on Tuesday, while the second tournament will start on Wednesday.

He said points awarded to players from their performances in both tournaments would be used to determine the players who qualify for the 2015 Africa Junior Championships that would be hosted by Morocco.

Other Batswana results:

 

Boys Under-14

Katso Salo lost to Brett Hounsel of Zimbabwe 6-0, 6-1

 

Boys Under-12

Round one

Batsomi Marobela lost to Maans Stenkamp of Namibia 6-1, 6-1 Lesedi Ranguin lost to Andrew Chingaazira of Zimbabwe 6-0, 6-1 Wamorena Mhlanga lost to Sekalani Makuluni of Malawi 6-2, 6-0

 

Girls Under-16

Round two

Thandi Kololo lost to Munashe Kaome of Zimbabwe 6-0, 6-0 Reneilwe Selema lost to Nina Burger of Namibia 6-0, 6-0 Rejoice Mokotedi lost to Marrieta Nhamitambo of Mozambique 6-1, 6-0 *The three girls had received byes into round two

 

Girls Under-14

Round one

Amantle Dishebo lost to Ubeyla Bique of Mozambique 7-5, 6-3 Thato Madikwe beat Broua Christopher of Malawi 6-0, 6-3

 

Girls Under-12

Sekani Fichani beat Karabelo Thite of Lesotho 6-0, 6-1 Leungo Monnayoo lost to Sarah Introcaso of MUritius 6-0, 6-0 Segomotso Sibanda lost to Claire Machisa of Zimbabwe 6-0, 6-0. ENDS