Namibians struggle at CAT junior event

Namibian junior tennis players have found the going tough at the International Tennis Federation Confederation of African Tennis Southern Africa Championships which are currently taking place in Windhoek.

Junior tennis players from southern African countries are currently competing in the u14 and u16 age group categories and by yesterday, all of Namibia’s male and female players had been knocked out in both age groups.

In the boys u16 category, Ruben Yssel beat T Andrianatoandro of Madagascar 6-0, 6-2 in the first round before losing 6-2, 6-1 to the top seeded John Bothma of South Africa in the quarterfinals. 

Lian Kuhn beat Noe Jemusse of Mozambique 6-0, 6-0 in the first round, but then lost 2-6, 7-6, 6-3 to J Rodrigues of Mozambique in the quarterfinals.

Eduan Schollij beat Kamohelo Mathibela of Lesotho 6-4, 6-2 in the first round, but lost 6-2, 6-4 to the fifth seeded K Regoeng of Botswana in the quarterfinals. 

In the boys u14 category, Luan Brand was the only Namibian to win a first round match. He beat Joaquin Domingos of Angola 6-4, 7-5 but then lost 6-1, 7-5 to the fourth seeded Amin Rosa of Mozambique in the quarterfinals. 

In the girls u14 category, Namibia’s Secilia Nghitewapo, the seventh seed, beat Unahi Shongwe of Eswatini 6-0, 6-1 in the first round, before losing 6-0, 6-0 to Charlotte Bouwer of South Africa in the quarterfinals. 

Emma Brinkmann of Namibia beat Kazara Alberto of Mozambique 6-2, 7-5 in the first round, but then lost 6-2, 5-7, 10-7 to the fourth-seeded Dandara Roque of Angola in the quarterfinals. 

In the girls u16 category, Mari van Schalkwyk beat R Gowreesunkur of Mauritius 6-0, 6-0 in the first round, but then lost by the same score to the top seeded Morgan Jordaan of South Africa in the second round. 

Ndeumono Wilhelm received a bye into the second round but then lost to the eighth-seeded L Majeke of South Africa 6-0, 6-0.

Hilya Campbell received a first round bye before losing 6-1, 6-0 to the third seeded Z El Zein of Zimbabwe.

Kayla Amutse received first round bye before losing 6-0, 6-0 to the fifth seeded Chanelle Zhuwakini of Zimbabwe. 

Joanivia Bezuidenhout beat Haniah Subraty of Mauritius 6-0, 6-4 in the first round before losing 6-0, 6-2 to the second seeded A van der Walt of South Africa in the second round.