Africa-Press – Rwanda. The 2025 Billie Jean King Cup Africa Group IV tournament served up an action-packed opening day on Monday, July 14, with host nation Rwanda making a statement by sweeping Congo 3-0 at the IPRC Kigali Ecology Tennis Club.
The competition, which features 12 African nations split into three groups of four, began with round-robin ties that saw dominant performances across all three groups.
Rwanda, drawn in Group C alongside Ethiopia, Senegal, and Congo, got off to a perfect start.
Olive Tuyisenge opened with a commanding 6-0, 6-0 win over Marie-Noel Odongo in singles, before Gisèle Umumararungu produced the same scoreline against Theresia Amel Bankoussou. Tuyisenge then returned to the court for the doubles alongside Sonia Tuyishime, and the pair defeated Congo’s Odongo and Bankoussou 6-0, 6-0 to seal a flawless team win.
In the other Group C encounter, Senegal edged Ethiopia 2-1. Christel Fakhry gave Senegal the lead with a 7-6(3), 6-1 win over Samirawit Andarga Duche, before Lea Crosetti secured the tie by winning the second singles 7-6(1) 6-3 against Shakira Varse. Senegal also claimed the doubles as Fakhry and Crosetti crushed Varese and Tigist Alemu Asha in straight sets 6-0, 6-0 to complete a dominant showing.
Group A saw Benin come from behind to beat Cameroon 2-1. After Cameroon’s Marie Marlon Job Ombala won the opening singles rubber, Stephanie N’tcha levelled with a 6-2, 6-2 victory. N’tcha then partnered with Jessica Kodo to win the deciding doubles 6-1, 6-0.
Mozambique also had a strong start in the group, dispatching Lesotho 3-0 with Ilga Adolfo playing a key role in both singles and doubles victories.
In Group B, Tanzania produced a clean 3-0 sweep over Sudan. Singles players Tinashe Matope and Alexis Kazoba delivered straight-sets wins before teaming up for a 6-3, 6-3 doubles victory. Togo also registered a 2-1 win over Seychelles, with Valentine Talak and Clyde Pelpel winning their singles rubbers before the islanders took the doubles point.
The tournament continues until July 19, with group winners advancing to a final round-robin stage that will determine which team secures promotion to Africa Group III.
Rwanda returns to action on Tuesday morning, July 15, against Ethiopia in their second group match while Senegal will go up against minnows Congo Republic.
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