Jean-Claude Gasigwa stormed the quarter-finals of the lucrative International Tennis Federation/CAT Money Circuit yesterday at Nairobi Club, Kenya.

Rwanda second seed easily overcame Kenya's Nastss Nespali in straights sets 6-2, 6-2 in the second round battle to reach the quarter finals.

Gasigwa, 25, will face either Anthony Omwango (Kenya) or Sebastian Jupili (Tanzania) in today's quarter finals set for 10.am local time.

In the first round, Gasigwa got a walk over after his Kenyan opponent Richard Okumu failed to turn up for the event. Still in the first round, Zimbabwe's favorite star Peter Nyamande defeated Kenya's Yashira Wangu 6-4 6-1 while Gilbert Kibet overcame Eugene Gatoshi 6-1 6-0.

This month's International Tennis Federation/CAT Money Circuit has attracted 70 semi-professional tennis players and among them is Kenya's female top seed Evelyn Otula.

Zimbabwe's top seed Genius Chidzikwe has also graced the tournament, while Rosette Musoke of Uganda will renew her rivalry with Otula.

Other top players at the championship include Francis Rogoi and Allan Cooper, who could not take part in the first round because of personal commitments.

Rwanda's Gasigwa, who won the last circuit held in March, is also among the favorite winners for this month's edition together with his fiercest rival, Martin Dzuwa.

The prestigious tournament has hefty prize money of $4500 (approx. Frw2.5 millions) with the winners getting $600 in the men and women categories respectively.

Wednesday

First round

JC Gasigwa beat R. Okumu (Ken)

(Walkover)

P. Nyamande (Zim) beat Y. Wangu (Ken)

6-4, 6-1

G. Kibet (Ken) beat E.Gatoshi (Ken)

6-1, 6-0

Yesterday

Second round

JC Gasigwa (Rwa) beat N. Nespali (Ken)

6-2, 6-2

Today

Quarter-finals

JC Gasigwa v winner (A. Omwango v S. Jupili)