Okutoyi dismantles Namibian opponent to hand Team Kenya advantage

Angella Okutoyi handed Kenya her first win on Day 4 as she breezed past Namibia's Theron Liniques in the first match of the day at the Nairobi Club.

Needing only 52 minutes, the 19 year old comfortably dispatched her opponent in a straight set 6-1, 6-0 victory to give Team Kenya the 1-0 advantage in the tie.

"Every player would love to finish quickly on court and I am glad I managed to do that today. My first serve was not working as perfect so I had to rely on my second serve and thankfully it worked. I also focused on her backhand a lot because I felt I could exploit that area a little more. My focus is just on building on my momentum and taking each match seriously," Okutoyi said afterwards.

Okutoyi started the match with intent as she broke Theron immediately in the opening game of the match to take a 1-0 lead.

A hold of serve and another break in the third game set Okutoyi on her way to clinching the first set as she led 3-0.

A rare hold of serve enabled Theron to get the scoreboard to 3-1 but that was all she could manage in that set as Okutoyi showed her dominance by breaking again to take the first set 6-1.

The second set proved to be routine for the Kenyan history maker, who back in July 2022 became the first player from the country to lift a Grand Slam when she clinched the Wimbledon Girls' Double trophy, as she bageled her opponent to win the match 6-1, 6-0 in under one hour.

Despite the setback, Theron's spirits were not too downcast following the defeat. she said.

Kenya will now head into the next two matches needing just one win.

Cynthia Wanjala will play the Singles match and will square off against Lisa Nia Yssel.