African smash

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EGYPT hosted the 27th African Junior Tennis Championships held from 12 to 18 April at the Smash Tennis Academy in Heliopolis. One hundred and seventy-five players from 25 countries took part.

In the under-14 championship, Mohamed Safwat (Egypt) came in first place, beating Michael Thomason (South Africa) 6-5, 6-0. In the women's event, Oliva Dahawi (Tunisia) beat Mai El-Wardani (Egypt) 4-6, 6-4, 6-1.

In the under-16 championship, Wael Al-Kilani (Tunisia) won the men's event, beating Reda Al-Amrani (Morocco) 3-6, 6-3, 6-1. In the women's event, Fatma Al-Alami (Morocco) manhandled Elze Botgierter (South Africa) 6-1, 6-2.

In the under-18 championship, Mahdi Zaiyadi (Morocco) edged Kevin Anderson (South Africa) in the men's event 7-5, 7-6. In the women's event, Magi Aziz (Egypt) routed countrywoman Ola Abu Zikri 6-2, 6-1.

In doubles in the under-14 for men, Michael Thomason and James Munro (South Africa) beat Zerihun Checo and Geledewos Messhin (Ethiopia) 7-6, 6-2. In the women's event, Chene Hines and Browin Williams (South Africa) powered by Minna El-Nagdi and Mai El-Wardani (Egypt) 6-3, 6-1.

In U-16 in men, Ayoub Benyamir and Reda Al-Amrani (Morocco) outlasted Mleba Akamlo and Lamboni Kombati (Togo) 3-6, 6-4, 6-4. In the women's event, Elze Botgierter and Lisa Levenperg (South Africa), beat Aliaa Fakhri and Rana Tharwat (Egypt) 7-6, 6-4.

In the under-18 men's event, Kevin Anderson and Thomas Lidrsave (South Africa) easily handled Mahdi Zayyadi and Mohcine Routame (Morocco) 6-1, 6-2. In the women's event, Egyptian Magi Aziz and Botswanian Tebiwa Maropela beat the Egyptian doubles pair of Nihal Saleh and Ola Abu-Zikri 6-2, 6-0.