In-form Okutoyi reigns supreme, defends Kenya Open Ladies Singles title

Angela Okutoyi has retained the Kenya Open Ladies Singles title following her straight-sets win of 6-1/6-1 against Tanzanian opponent Shana Mao.

It was a fairly straightforward match for the Kenyan ace, who spent less than an hour on the court. Her rasping serve and equally sublime returns meant that the opponent had difficulties with composure and game management.

“I am happy to retain my title, and I enjoyed every moment of the tournament. The players came hard against me, and it was a good test, but ultimately we passed.

“Winning this title off my maiden World Tennis Tour event in Tunisia is even sweeter,” she said afterward while speaking to the press at the Nairobi Club.

Shah upsets Njogu

In the Boys’ Singles, there was an upset as 18-year-old Kael Shah beat top seed Albert Njogu 6-2/6-3 in a well-attended match.

The high-octane match had it all: speed, power, and aggression from both ends.

Shah, seeded second, had never reached this stage before and, in the lead-up to the finals, had not dropped a single set.

It was therefore a thriller that could have ended up on three sets, save for a couple of errors from Njogu, who had his own army of fans cheering for him. However, the young Shah had his own ideas as he played varied shots, dragging out Njogu from his comfort spots.

Njogu had his moments in the second set, almost tying, but was excellently wiped out with scores of 3-2. From then on, the youngster just played with calm and discipline to take away the title for the first time in his youthful career. 

Shah, who spoke afterward, said: “I played unbelievable tennis, and I am happy with myself. My plan and tactics were executed just great, and so it feels good to win in front of my family and friends.

“The whole week has gone by, so we’ll and I could not ask for anything more being my first major silverware at home,” stated Shah.

Okutoyi inspires Kenya

In the earlier ladies’ doubles match, the Kenyan duo Okutoyi and Roselida Asumwa beat the Tanzanian pair of Esther Nankulange and Shana Mao 6-2/6-0.

It was a clean week for the duo, who did not drop a set all through. The Tanzanian pair, who only picked two games in the finals, simply had no answers for the ferocious play executed by the siblings in front of their fans and the Tennis Kenya officials led by President James Kenani and Secretary General Wanjiru Karani.

In the wheelchair men’s finale, Tanzanian fourth seed Peter Isaya Vosta stunned home player Rajab Athman Abdalah in straight sets of 6-2/6-4 in a titanic battle.

In the senior mixed doubles finals, Naomi Gatheca of Kenya and Masimba Mchange of Zimbabwe saw off Yan Welfens of Belgium and Aida Kimemia of Kenya in straight sets of 6-0/6-2.