THE New Winners and Super Eight tennis tournaments got underway yesterday at Harare Sports Club with the top seed in the latter section, Ronzai Saurombe beating Tirivashe Zavamada in his opening match.

The two tournaments are running concurrently and some of the top eight players competing in the Super Eight are using the tournament as a warm-up event for the Zonal Championships to be held from January 8 to 14 in Namibia.

 Saurombe overpowered Zvamada 6-4, 6-3 in yesterday's encounter.

The matches are being played in a round-robin basis and Saurombe said he was looking forward to today's match.

"I played well today but I could have done better. This is my first match since the Zimbabwe Open and it wasn't bad.

 "I am hoping to improve as the tournament progresses. I have noticed some areas I need to improve on and I hope to step up my play a little bit in my second match," said Saurombe.

In the other match, Taremeredzwa Mariga defeated Tafadzwa Mahachi 2-6, 6-4, 6-3.

Meanwhile, the girls Under-18 competition has been cancelled after only one player, Lorraine Mandingwa, entered the competition.

 However, she also did not turn up for the event. In the boys Under-16 section, Alwyin Mushonga dismissed Edward Sengai 6-2, 6-0 and in the girls competition Tariro Dembo beat Thandiwe Maglisi 6-1, 6-1 while Wendy Rudhu dismissed Adele Kaklamanis 6-1, 6-0.

In the boys Under-14 matches, Julius Mutetwa beat Richard Ngwarwi 6-0, 6-1 in Pool B while Keith Wakatama defeated Keith Mwashita 6-4, 7-5.

 Mark Chigaazira dismissed Mehluli Sibanda 6-1, 6-1 in Pool B.

In the girls competition, the matches are being played in a round-robin format and top seed Karen Machisa beat Rumbi Ugaro 6-2, 6-3 while Karen Muswere thumped Tanyaradzwa Magunje 6-1, 6-1. Jason Chigaazira overpowered Panashe Wakatama 6-3, 6-2 and Valentine Munyawiri beat Tatenda Mutetwa 7-5, 3-6, 7-6 (5) in the boys Under-12 section. Beverly Matsiwe beat Kundayi Manyonga 6-2, 6-4 while Kimberly Bhunu dismissed Mufaro Chinwada 6-0, 6-1.