African Games: Angella Okutoyi through to finals after stellar semifinal show
Reading Time: 3min | Wed. 20.03.24. | 19:52
It was double victory for the tennis sensation as she progressed to the doubles finals where she is partnering with Cynthia Cheruto
Former junior doubles Wimbledon Grand Slam champion Angella Okutoyi is through to the finals of the African Games in Accra, Ghana.
The youngster secured a final spot against world number 62 Mayar Sherif of Egypt after outclassing her 5-7 7-5 7-6(5) in a match that tested their patience. The match took almost four hours.
She has set up an exciting final against Lamis Hussein Abdel Aziz of Egypt, who beat her countrymate Sandra Samir in the second semifinal.
4 HOURS AND 27 MINUTES 🥵
— ITF (@ITFTennis) March 20, 2024
World No. 532 and 2022 Wimbledon Girls' Doubles champion Angella Okutoyi advances to the final of the African Games in Accra, Ghana 👏 pic.twitter.com/CjcQlNzJqu
Speaking after the win, the prodigy dedicated the impressive win to her support system, noting that they guided her to the higher heights.
"I don't know where to start. To my family back at home my team mates and coaches here in Accra. My association Tennis Kenya NOCK- Olympics Kenya and my very Good fans all around the world, my sponsors Lotto Sport Yonex Tennis, and Sports CS Hon. Ababu Namwamba, this is for you. I want to say thank you. I could feel the support from here," she said.
She also hinted at working tooth and nail to make it to the global stage; the Paris Olympics.
"One more. Olympics I am coming," she stated.
Okutoyi, who is on her way to winning her first medal in the tournament has enjoyed a brilliant run-in thus far, and one that pulled her clear of her Round of 16 exit in 2019.
In case you missed it, here it is. The moment she knew she’s one step towards @Paris2024 Olympics.🥹 ANGELLA OKUTOYI!🇰🇪✈️🙌🏽
— TeamKenya (@OlympicsKe) March 20, 2024
The third Kenyan woman to reach the final after the all- Kenyan pair final of Susan Wakhungu and Jane Davies-Doxzon at the 1978 Algiers African Games. pic.twitter.com/ndjU8vQOG6
On Tuesday, after recording wins in the Round of 32 and 16 against Zambian Naomi Chilese in straight sets (6-3,6-1), and Egyptian Refaat Mostafa Elkotb (6-3, 6-3), Okutoyi met a familiar foe - Aya El Aouni of Tunisia - in the quarterfinals, dismissing her 6-4, 6-3.
The result means that the former junior doubles Wimbledon Grand Slam champion has not dropped a set in the championships, and now stands a chance of becoming the first Kenyan since Jane Davies-Doxzon (1978) to win tennis gold.
A ticket to the summer Paris Olympic Games is also on the cards for the eventual winner.
'Double' delight
Success was two-fold for Okutoyi as she, alongside her partner Cynthia Cheruto, sealed their place into the women's doubles finals after the Egyptian duo of Mayar Sherif and Lamis Elhussein abandoned the game, issuing a walkover.
As a result, the Kenyan pair will now face either of Nweke Dasam and Quadre Barakat of Nigeria, or Sandra Sameh and Mostafa Refaat of Egypt in Saturday's final.
