Mugabe, Oringa in last 8
Uganda’s top seed Mugabe returning serve against Jonathan Ssebanja yesterday. PHOTO BY ISMAIL KEZAALA
KAMPALA. Neither the organizers, fans nor the players are at peace with the inconsistent weather at the on-going Uganda Tennis Open.
As a result, the mixed doubles event can only start today, according to tournament officials John Oduke and John Kasule.
However, there’s been fine progress in the men and women’s singles. While top seeds Kenyan Shufaa Changawa and Rwandan Megan Ingabire are yet to find trouble in the ladies’ contests, the big wigs are too still cruising on the other hand.
Top seed Duncan Mugabe made his way to the last with a comfortable win over Jonathan Ssebanja in front of a handful of fans at Centre Court yesterday. The 2010 and 2011 champion beat the Cricket Cranes’ all-rounder 6-1 6-0.
“Despite a few distractions prior, the game was okay for me,” Mugabe noted. The 22-year-old was meant to face his older brother Daniel Ruyange in the battle for a semifinal spot.
Instead, he will face Edward Odockchen who came from a set down to beat Ruyange 3-6, 6-0, 6-4. Day Four also brings another anticipated quarterfinal between seed-3 Rwandan Dieudonne Habiyambere and seed-5 Ugandan Simon Ayella.
“The progress here is steady and I will do my best to advance,” 2013 finalist Habiyambere said after beating Ethine Niyigena 6-0, 6-1. Ayella, a quarterfinalist at this year’s Kenya Open is optimistic too. “I have got the home backing and I don’t want to disappoint them,” he said. Also, 2012 champion David Oringa will face D. Mugyaneza after eliminating 16-year-old Borris Aguma 6-4, 6-2 at dusk.
