Kenya knocked out of Davis Cup promotion after painful loss to Ghana
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Reading Time: 2min | Fri. 19.06.26. | 18:36
Up next for them is a relegation play-off tie with Mozambique on Saturday
Kenya will not earn promotion to Davis Cup Group Three (III) after suffering a second defeat at Group IV Tournament at Nairobi Club on Friday, 18 June.
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Kenya, who were seeking a move to Group Three for the first time since 2022, were left in the waiting room yet again, after going 2-1 down to Ghana, a result that left them third on the Group A standings, and unable to advance into the promotion playoffs.
Having put themselves back into contention with a needed 2-1 victory over Botswana on Thursday, 18 June, Kenya undid all that work by losing in the first singles game on Friday, before going down in a doubles decider after pushing themselves back in the second single rubber.
Team captain, Ismael Changawa, playing in his third singles match-up in the tournament, could not build on his win on Thursday, as he went down 7-6 (11-9), 6-1 to Samuel Agbesi Osei Antwi, to give the Ghanaians a 1-0 advantage.
That lead would, however, be erased, as Kael Shalin Shah showed impressive grit and determination to haul the hosts back, coming out tops in a three-set battle with Abraham Asaba that lasted 1 hour, 49 minutes.
Having taken a 6-2 lead, Shah gave up the second set 6-3, before winning the last one 6-3, to set up a doubles decider.
Once there, Kenya’s strong point over the last two days was punctured, with the duo of Agbesi and Asaba beating Shah and Zayyan Virani 6-4, 7-6 (7-5), to pip Kenya via win percentage into second spot in Group A.
With all teams - Kenya and Ghana - tied on one win each, Ghana usurped Kenya by the virtue of winning 92 of their 93 games (0.98), while Kenya won 102 of their 105 games (0.97).
With that, Kenya will now extend their stay in the Davis Cup lower tiers.
Up next for them is a relegation play-off tie with Mozambique scheduled for Saturday, 20 June.
