Top seeds Jean Claude Gasigwa and David Habiyambere were shown the exit as the Uganda Open tennis event entered Day 5 today at Lugogo Tennis Club. The Rwanda star who was favored to win the event and was beaten by Uganda’s fast rising star David Oringa 5-7, 6-2, 7-6 in a game that lasted over three hours on center court.
With all the home support to his advantage Oringa capitalized on his good volleys and stamina to battle past the more seasoned Gasigwa. He described his win as a sweet victory that gives him the guts to play his heart out to the final. It was a game of nerves as Olinga took a 5-2 lead in the first set, only for the experienced Gasigwa to fight back and win the game in a tie-break.
But Olinga returned determined and hungry to take the second game 6-2. The deciding game which kept spectators on their toes saw long rallies and clever play that Olinga chased at 4-1 and managed to take it to the tie break. Gasigwa said although Olinga had won convincingly, the umpiring was not all the best because of some questionable calls. Olinga will now face fellow Ugandan Herbert Buyinza in one of the semi finals tomorrow. Buyinza who has been part of Ugandan’s national team for many years defeated John Otiti 6-3, 7-5. Buyinza who was wrong on his prediction that Olinga would lose to Gasigwa said he will now work hard to get to the finals.
//Cue in:… I think..
Cue out:.. big effort this time,”//
The tournament’s second seed Habiyambere form Rwanda was ejected by his fellow countryman Mubarak 6-3, 6-4 to set up another encounter of Rwanda players in the semi finals after Mike Uwizeyimana brushed aside Olivier Nkunda 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 in one of the quarter final games today.
In the few women’s games played Tanzania’s Rehema Athuman beat Sheila Kemigisha 6-0, 6-1 in the pre-quarter finals, while Kenya’s Evelyn Otula also stopped Pheobe Mungereza 6-0, 6-0. Caroline Oduor from Kenya is ranked top in the women’s draw. The tournament sponsored by Uganda Breweries Limited through their Caste Lite brand will see all winners in the men’s and women’s singles and doubles together with the mixed doubles win cash prizes besides trophies.
