Stretched Tayebwa eager to learn from tough ITF outing

Young Tayebwa showed that his backhand is an aspect that could give the nation cheers one day. PHOTO BY JOHN BATANUDDE

KAMPALA. After the early morning showers had disrupted yesterday’s ITF World Tennis Tour at Lugogo, the sun finally came out and all was set for Uganda’s youngest participant to take on Pakistan’s Ahmed Choudrany.

It ended 7-5,6-3 in favour of the Asian who looked more comfortable for bigger chunks of the game.
His more developed game left Tayebwa playing catch up, something the youngster took as bittersweet.
“It’s really tough playing against these guys because they have played a lot of tennis all over the world yet this is my first tournament,” Tayebwa told Daily Monitor.

Despite being the underdog, Tayebwa had moments of brilliance as he fought on with his ferocious backhand that at times caught Choundray off guard. He knows that his backhand among other attributes can only better by getting more practice and tournaments under his belt. “I can get there with time, more training and competitions can shape me into the player I want to be and I am also learning everyday. This tournament has given me such a big platform to improve,” added Tayebwa.

Low mileage
Choundray admitted he could tell his opponent’s tennis mileage was just kicking off and took advantage.
“I could tell he has not played a lot of tennis despite being such a good player who will only get better with time,” observed the Pakistani, who believes the more you play, the better you get at playing different points.

David Oringa, the other Ugandan in action yesterday had his game called off as it due to fading light.
But that was after the Ugandan had taken the first set 6-3.
Week one’s winner and tournament seed one, Russian Ivan Nedelko continued with his imperious form dispatching India’s Virali Murugesan (6-4,6-3).

ITF WORLD TENNIS TOUR
Selected Results
Choundray bt Tayebwa (7-5,6-3)
Nedelko bt Virali (6-4,6-3)
Prajwal bt Flores (6-2,6-1)
Vanshlboim bt Chandra (6-5,7-5,7-5)
Bradley bt Prabodh (3-6,7-6,6-2)
Iradukunda bt Bolotov (6-3,1-6,6-2)
Sunish bt Sibanda (6-1,6-4)
Goveas bt Rai (6-2,6-1)
Carr bt Anand (6-4,6-4)
Kotecha bt Storrie (6-2,4-6,6-2)
Tverijonas bt Tagarisha (6-7,7-6,6-2)