The Sunday Mail
Brighton Zhawi
Sports Reporter
DAVIS CUP team member Benjamin Lock will be eyeing a much improved showing when he returns to the court for the second leg of the Old Mutual ITF F1 Zimbabwe pro-circuit tennis tournament at Harare Sports Club this week.
The second leg of the three-week tournament serves into action tomorrow with organisers holding their main draw.
All eyes will be on Zimbabwe’s top-ranked Lock, who exited the first leg of the tournament at the semi-final stage, going down 6-7, 6-3 to America’s Evan King on Friday.
King then went on to claim the US$10 000 prize money after he defeated compatriot Tyler Hochwalt 6-4, 7-5 in yesterday’s enthralling final at HSC.
Lock was content with his showing and reckons more time on the court will improve his game.
“Well, I think I am playing some good tennis right now and I am happy with how I have competed this (last) week,” he said.
“I have some areas of my game I need to work on before the next tournament, but I am confident I will go out and compete well again.”
The 22-year-old, who took some time off to play golf, said he wants to improve his serve which wasn’t at its best against King.
“Nothing big, (I) just (need to be) playing more first strike tennis, coming to the net and using my serve more effectively.
“Same mindset as always, just trying to get better and improve my game while playing the way I want to play.
“After exiting the tournament I took time to play some golf, relax and then come back strong. Take it match by match,” he said.
Lock hailed his younger brother, Courtney, who could be heard shouting encouragements from the terraces when his brother was taking on King, for his support.
“It’s been great, we get on really well and it’s awesome that we get to watch each other’s matches and play doubles together. He keeps me really calm and relaxed.”
Meanwhile, Tennis Zimbabwe president Regis Bhunu called the first week of the tournament a “resounding success’’ and heaped praise on Lock.
“The moment we host such an event in Zimbabwe, it’s a success to us,” he said.
“Because we are bringing a totally different brand of players to compete with our own and definitely we will be seeing a lot better tennis than we normally see.
“The whole objective is to try and help our younger players understand what level of tennis they have to play in the ATP or WTA circuits.
“As far as Lock is concerned it was good performance from him, he picked up points much like he did in Mozambique and in a few weeks his ranking will be higher. That’s what we want,” said Bhunu.
