Zambian Edgar Kazembe once again triumphed 6-4, 6-4 over compatriot Nkumbu Chonya in the men’s singles finals of the Puma Energy Malawi Open Tennis Championships at Blantyre Sports Club (BSC) on Tuesday to win his third successive title.

Kazembe, who received K740 000 (about $1 850) and a trophy from Puma Energy managing director Davies Lanjesi, also joined forces with his fellow Zambian in the men’s doubles finals where they battered Malawians James Matewere and Julius Taulo 6-2, 5-7, 6-1 to take home K75 000 (about $185) each.

“This is fantastic!” marvelled Kazembe after receiving his prizes. “It is quite satisfying that I am now going back to Zambia with both the pride and the money.”

Malawians also missed out on the list of winners in the ladies section where Zimbabwean Pauline Chawafwambira, who was making her first appearance at the contest, beat defending champion Mary Luhanga 6-0, 7-5.

She also partnered Zambian Maggie Mutare in the ladies’ doubles finals where they conquered a combination of Luhanga and Patricia Matola 6-1, 3-6, 6-4.

For her success in the ladies’ singles, Chawafwambira got K370 000 (about $925). In the doubles’ event, she won K55 000 (about $137).

The only solace that Malawi found in this four-day event was the emergence of Matewere and Luhanga as mixed doubles’ champions. The two saw off Taulo and Heather Langford with a 6-3, 6-2 victory in the finals.

Matewere and Taulo attributed their poor showing to lack of international exposure while Luhanga and Matola attributed their lackluster performance to inadequate training due to their commitments at school and work respectively.

The contest, whose sponsorship package was increased from K2 million to K5 million, registered 74 players, including 14 foreigners from Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Out of the registered players, 53 were males while 21 were ladies.

Speaking during prize presentation, Lanjesi promised continued sponsorship of the annual event that was inaugurated in 2011.