The ManicaPost
Ray Bande Senior Sports Reporter
US-based Pauline Wadzanayi Chawafambira and Tatenda Tapfuma, who are currently back home on holiday, are working overtime on the court ahead of the Botswana Open.
The Botswana Open is slated for mid next month.
The twenty-year olds, who both won the Manicaland Open recently, are living testimonies of robust junior talent development exploits of Mutare’s Mantas Tennis Academy. Talented Chawafambira got the better of Beverly Matsiwe 7:6; 6:3 in the final to win her seventh Manicaland Open ladies title while Tapfuma outplayed Liberty Nzula 6:3; 6:3 in the men’s final.
“I am looking forward to the Botswana Open and I hope I will be able to win it. The Manicaland Open came as a good preparatory act ahead of the Botswana Open. I am also working hard in preparation of the Botswana Open,” said the Eastern Arizona College student, Chawafambira, who is now ranked 12th on the US International Tennis Association (ITA) rakings. The talented tennis ace, who traces her roots to Dangamvura high density suburb and is currently undertaking her general studies in the United States, is no newcomer in the Botswana Open after succumbing to a defeat in the last year’s final against 26-year old compatriot Fadzai Mawisire.
On the other hand, Tapfuma, who is on a move from Seminol State College to East Carolina University and is also in the top 20 of the US ITA rankings, will make a maiden appearance at the Botswana Open.
“This is going to be my fist appearance in the Botswana Open and I really hope to perform well. It’s going to be tough I know but I going there to win and probably be in the finals,” said Tapfuma.
Apart from the Manicaland Open, which he won, Tapfuma also took part in the Harare Sport Open competition, which he also won after berating veteran Martin Dzuwa 6:2; 3:6; 6:1.
