19 Nov 2024

Botswana tennis player, Malak Macheng, has delivered the first ever ITF /CAT under 14 circuit girls singles gold medal, after beating Rutendo Tom of Zimbabwe 6-3, 6-4 in a nail-biting final played at National Tennis Centre on November 19.

It was evident that Malak was destined for a victory, as she started the match on a high note winning the first set by 6-3.

Although she was tense at the start, she was then able to calm down as the game progressed and played the match.

She was then able to put her under pressure, forcing her  to commit unforced errors, in the event winning the first set.

In the second and final set, Rutendo made a lot of unforced errors, which gave Malak a 1-0 lead, and that alone piled a lot of pressure on Rutendo.

The pressure seemed to give her confidence as she attacked Macheng and finally got a 2-1 lead, which then put the local under pressure.

Malak said in an interview that it was that time while she was under pressure that she managed to hold herself, although she was unable to break her.

“It was when she got a 3-2 lead, that I was then able to calm myself down, and break her and got the 4-3 lead,” she said.

Furthermore, she said after claiming the lead, she remained consistent and her opponent became frustrated and made a lot of unnecessary errors, and she capitalized on that to claim the 5-3 lead.

She said she was happy to be the first player in Botswana to win the ITF /CAT under 14 circuit girls singles gold medal.

“It means a lot that I was able to win the medal, and it was a sweet victory on home soil, watched by family, team-mates, and supporters,” she said.

For her part, Rutendo said the game was tough, adding that she missed a lot of chances, which she felt led to her mising out on the gold.

“Malak is smart player who just hit the ball in the court and if her opponent is not consistent, she then gets punished, and to be honest, today it was not my day,” she said. ENDS