Oduke, Oduor in final

By Douglas Mazune TOP seed Norbert Oduor and second seeded John Oduke yesterday won their semi-final matches to set up what promises to be a thrilling Bell Lager Uganda open tennis tournament final at Lugogo tennis courts tomorrow. Oduor overwhelmed youngster Patrick Olobo 6-0, 6-1 in 37 minutes while 42-year-old Oduke had his vast experience to thank when he he lost the second set before beating Godfrey Uzunga 6-3, 4-6, 6-0 in a tough match that lasted for one hour 35 minutes. "There are times when you run out of ideas, I had to give away the second set to settle matters in the third set. He played very well," Oduke told The New Vision after the victory. Oduke started off well in the first set - taking three games in a row but Uzunga fought to close in on 3-4 before, he (Oduke) took the first set. Uzunga cheered on by the few spectators who turned up for the center court match,s took the second set that lasted close to one hour. But Oduke again quickly took the deciding set without losing a game. In the ladies singles Kenyan Esther Mbugua pulled off a major upset when she ended top seed Janet Magona's two-year dominance of the event. The skilled Mbugua came from a set down to bundle out the champion 4-6, 7-5, 6-2 in a close encounter that lasted one hour and seven minutes. "I played point by point, it was not easy 'bwana', I just charged up and continued fighting. I will fight harder in the final," Mbugua said. Mbugua takes an opponent who was yet to be known by press time yesterday. Edith Wamalwa was already in the semi-final while Rosette Musoke and Broojman Willemien were yet to play the quarter-final match. Action continues today at Lugogo courts with semifinal losers battling for the third positions in the tournament sponsored by Uganda Breweries under Bell Lager brand flagship. Sh8m will be given out to the various winners in cash prizes. Ends