Okutoyi set to begin W15 title fight on home soil on Tuesday

Kenya’s 18 year old tennis prodigy Angella Okutoyi will be hoping to make significant inroads on home soil when the first of two international W15 women’s World Tennis Tour officially begins on Tuesday at the Karen Country Club on Tuesday.

In the main draw conducted following the qualifiers held on Monday, Okutoyi, who made history back in July when she became the first Kenyan player to lift a Grand Slam title by winning the 2022 Wimbledon Girls Doubles crown, has been paired against India’s Shetty Sharanya in the first round beginning on Tuesday.

With the tournament also having points on offer apart from the 15,000 USD (circa Ksh. 1,828,500) up for grabs in the overall competition, Okutoyi who is looking to make her transition to the senior side will be keen to close the year on a high as she plays in the country for the first time since 2019.

The former African Junior Champion will also be taking part in the Doubles category and will link up with India’s 19 year old Smriti Bhasin where they will take on Caroline Romeo (France) and Sevil Yuldasheva (Uzbekistan).

Other than Okutoyi, three other Kenyan players will be in the main draw seeking to impress on familiar territory and conditions.

The trio include Okutoyi’s twin sister Roselida Asumwa, who received a wild card to the tournament, 14 year old Stacy Chepkemei Yego, who made it courtesy of being a lucky loser, and 29 year old Katarina Karanja who successfully navigated through the qualifiers after receiving byes in the first and second round.

Mary Wachira, Claire Muthoni and Cynthia Wanjala failed to reach the main draw.

A total of 45 players and ten 10 coaches from 21 countries have so far confirmed participation in the tournament with some of the countries represented including Kenya, USA, India, Switzerland, Germany, France, Serbia, Croatia, Denmark, Italy, Ireland, Japan, Nigeria, Austria, Israel, Algeria, Tanzania, UK, North Macedonia, Uzbekistan.