Kenyan players struggle as ITF/CAT under-14 Africa Junior Championships starts

Kenyan players got off to a false start as the ITF/CAT under-14 Africa Junior Championships started at Nairobi Club on Monday.

First, Morocco’s Rhazal Kamil made light work of Bulsara Vihaan 6-2,6-0 in court one.

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The Moroccan was so dominant right from the beginning, running to a 4-1 lead in the first set which he wrapped up in less than 20 minutes.

It was in the second set where the Kenyan stood no chance at all as his serves were broken.

Vihaap looked like he would bounce back in the fifth game after he ran to a 40-0 lead on his opponent's serve who made a series of double faults.

But Kamil came back strongly, won the game and the set to qualify for the second round.

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“I played really well this morning and I am happy with my performance. What worked for me is the fact that I refused to drop any of my serve and this motivated me in both sets,” said the Moroccan after the match.

Kamil admitted that he nearly dropped his serve in the second set but revealed that he had to push himself through to claim the game.

“When my opponent appeared to be winning, I told myself to keep playing and to win the game. I then made the serve and he played out. Then another serve went in and then the winner. I hope to win this tournament,” he added.

Patel Jyan from Kenya also lost to Morocco’s Ghalal Adam 6-1, 6-0 in court two. Zimbabwe’s Badza Joel was too good for Indiatsi Olembo whom he beat 6-1,6-0.

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Nathaniel Khalil beat Razafindarak Annatalima from Madagascar 6-1, 6-1. In other matches, Mostaffa Abdelattif from Egypt beat Bennaer Zeith from Tunisia 6-1, 6-1 while it took Mallour Mohammed from Tunisia three sets to beat Samuel Okello from Uganda. He won 4-6,6-2, 6-2.