Source: The Herald – Breaking news.
Ellina Mhlanga
Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE’S team competing at the 2023 Billie Jean King Cup Africa Group III has made positive strides in their campaign after winning all the ties they have played so far in the tournament currently underway in Nairobi, Kenya.
Zimbabwe were drawn in Pool B alongside Tunisia, Ghana, Mauritius, Burundi and Seychelles.
They beat Seychelles 3-0 yesterday to claim their third tie at the ongoing event. Zimbabwe are yet to lose having prevailed 3-0 against Ghana in their first encounter on Monday.
They then defeated Burundi 2-1 the following day.
Yesterday saw Tanyaradzwa Midzi dismissing Seychelles’ Ashaelle Bastienne 6-0, 6-0 in the first singles match. Tadiwanashe Mauchi then beat Marie-May Isnard 6-0, 6-2 in the other singles match.
Mauchi and Midzi then teamed up for the doubles and won 6-0, 6-0 against Bastienne and Isnard.
Zimbabwe are second in Pool B, behind Tunisia who are occupying the top spot.
They have won eight from nine matches and Tunisia have won all their nine matches from the three ties they have played.
The pair of Sasha Chimedza and Rufaro Magarira had a break yesterday, having led the first two ties on Monday and Tuesday.
Chimedza was the first Zimbabwean player on court on Monday in their tie against Ghana and she did not did not disappoint when beating Ghana’s Elizabeth Bagerbaseh in straight sets 6-3, 6-2.
Magarira then beat Tomegah Sisu-Makena 6-7(6), 6-0, 6-2. Chimedza and Magarira then teamed up to win the doubles match.
Zimbabwe went on to overpower Burundi 2-1 in the second tie, on day two and yesterday they had another good day in office.
They are up against Mauritius today hoping for another positive outcome, and they will conclude their group games against Tunisia. The team is captained by Liberty Nzula.
The event is featuring 12 countries and Pool A is made up of Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, Botswana, Namibia and Uganda.
Nigeria are leading in Pool A with three wins from three ties, followed by Kenya with three wins also. Morocco are third with two wins. The round-robin matches will be played until tomorrow while the play-offs will be played on Saturday.
The winners from each pool will face each other in the play-off for promotion while the rest of the participating teams play in the positional play-offs.
One team will be promoted and one will be relegated.
The Billie Jean King Cup is the largest annual international team competition in women’s tennis.
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