10 Oct 2024

Botswana tennis player, Rorisang Obuseng, put a smile on the faces of his supporters after winning 2-0 against Zimbabwean Unathi Sithole at the ongoing ITF/CAT 12 and under teams final competition on Wednesday. 

Obuseng’s victory was sweet, given that in the first rubber, Botswana’s Francisco Brink lost 2-0 to another Zimbabwean Chamakh Zhuwakini. 

It was evident in the first set that Obuseng was up to something as he was consistent, his feet moving, and had good placement of the ball. 

He said in an interview that he was happy with how he executed the plan against Zimbabwe, adding that he started very well. He said he was focused, confident and managed to hit the balls where they were supposed to go. 

“I must also give credit to Zhuwakini. He gave me a very good match. I had to concentrate throughout, and all in all I enjoyed it,” he said. 

Meanwhile, in the first rubber, Zhuwakini proved to be difficult for Fransesco Brink as he won the first set by 6-1 and the local lad seemed not to be on a top form, and he was tight marking him to lose crucial points. 

Although he lost 6-2 in the second set, Brink came back better, as he was loose and planned better for his opponent. 

In an interview, Brink said he played very well, but he gave away the ball easily to his opponent. 

“I think I gave him more room to command the game and get an advantage, so I think it is a learning curve. 

“I will try to up the game in the next matches,” he said.

 Botswana coach, Brighton Keteng, told BOPA that there was need for more tournament practice, given that Brink could have done much better in the match, but he was conservative, trying not to lose points. 

“Even in situations where he could have attacked, he did not utilise those chances. 

“I think even decision making here and there was very suspect,” he said. Ends