Okutoyi yearns for more after historic Singles title in Tunisia

Angella Okutoyi made history by becoming the first Kenyan player – man or woman – to lift singles silverware on the International Tennis Federation (ITF) World Tennis Tour when she won the W15 Monastir tournament last Sunday.

The achievement, that saw her becoming the second Kenyan player to win a professional singles tennis event and the first Kenyan woman to do so, followed Paul Wekesa’s victory in the Andorra Challenger back in 1994.

Following her victory, the 19-year-old, who was a wild card for the tournament, vowed to ensure that the first professional title would not be her last after the glorious run that saw her defeat Isabella Harvison from USA in straight sets.

Sensational Okutoyi bags first ever ITF Singles title with victory in Tunisia

“You know what they say, hard work does pay off! My first pro title W15 and not the last,” she posted.

"It only took 29 years, but a Kenyan has won another professional tournament. This means everything to me because I have come so far.

Seeing that I am changing this sport in my country is massive for me. Winning the W15 in Monastir will open doors for me as well as show young kids in Kenya and Africa that we can all achieve what we put our minds to, I have proven that," she is quoted on Auburn’s website.

The rising sophomore at Auburn University in USA defeated Helena Buchwald of Germany, first seeded Yasmine Mansouri of France, fifth seeded Anastasia Abbagnato of Italy, third seeded Zeel Desai of India and Harvison during the event.

Her largest upset of the event occurred in the first round with a 7-5, 6-2 victory over Buchwald, who holds an ITF singles ranking of 59th. Of the five matches, Okutoyi only required a third set in her match against Abbagnato.

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