David Oringa hoped he would at least reach the late stages of this year’s International Tennis Federation (ITF) Circuit 1 tournament in Bujumbura, Burundi but his aim was quickly shattered.
He was upset by American Michael-Ray Pallares-Gonzalez who stunned him in straight sets 6-2 6-1 the first round of the tourney at the Entete Sportive Courts on Monday. “It’s a painful loss,” Oringa told Kawowo Sports on phone, after being eliminated.
“I thought I would reach the last eight,” he added. Oringa had beaten Gonzalez’s country mate Dustin Goldenberg (6-3 7-5) on Saturday before bowing at the last 32 stage two days later.
Although he has missed out on staked 10000US dollar (Shs.25m) cash prize, all is not lost for the 19-year-old. Oringa has a chance to score more points and fight for a similar prize at the second circuit of ITF Futures in Kigali, Rwanda starting this weekend.
He will start at the qualifying stage before joining the main draw. “I am hopeful that I will still qualify like I did here (Bujumbura).”