Home player Sebastian Mtupili crashed out of the ongoing East African International Tennis Federation, ITF, money circuit when he went down to compatriot Mohamed Omar  by 6-4 2-6 2-6 in a match played at the Dar es Salaam Gymkhana Club court yesterday.

After going down in the opening game Mtupili, who is reputed for his power-packed serves, turned up the tables to win the first set by 6-4.

Mtupili, who is also a professional golfer and stayed out of tennis action for long spells, had his weakness exposed as Omar fought back to win the second set 6-2 to go level.

During the second set it was Mtupili who went ahead before Omar levelled in the second game. Mtupili won the third game but Omar’s baseline firepower completely dazzled Mtupili who eventually lost the set.

Confident Omar tightened his grip in the decisive third set while serving with power and determination that sent Mtupli reeling and unable to return some drop shots and angled volleys. Omar cruised to a 6-2 victory to send Mtupili packing.

 In other matches played yesterday, Kenyan  Francis Rogoi beat host player Salum Riziki by two straight sets of 6-1 6-1 while Abdallah Saidi humiliated compatriot Hamis Mussa by two sets of 7-5 6-2.  Mtupili’s younger brother Kiango Kipingu breezed past Ramadhan Jeran by 6-0 6-3 sets.

  In the ladies category Tanzanian Neema Joseph beat Shirri Archodo  by 6-4 6-0 while Violet Peter cruised to the second round after overwhelming Hawa Rashid by 6-0  6-0.

Quarterfinals of the money circuit tourney, that has attracted players from Kenya, Rwanda, Zimbabwe and Tanzania, get underway today.