Untroubled Okutoyi defends Kenya Open title as Kael Shah bags first ever crown

The 2022 Wimbledon Girls’ Doubles champion Angella Okutoyi successfully defended her Kenya Open tennis title after recording a dominant 6-1, 6-0 victory over Tanzania’s Shana Mao in the 2023 women’s Singles final played at the Nairobi Club on Saturday.

In the tournament making its comeback to the country for the first time since 2018, Okutoyi, who was the top seed in the event, faced little trouble on her way to bagging her second Kenya Open crown.

She made an early statement of intent when she broke the third seeded Mao in the opening game of the match after using the second of two break points created early on.

She however allowed her opponent a way back in immediately after when she showed her human side following a double fault on break point to make it 1-1.

That would however prove to be the best the Tanzanian could manage in getting on the scoreboard as Okutoyi broke her three times to take the opening set 6-1.

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Her powerful forehand and pinpoint serving proved to be disaster for Mao as a similar story unfolded in the second set, this time Okutoyi allowing no room for error as she broke thrice to seal the 6-1, 6-0 win.

“The tournament has been great and I like the fact that everyone came to compete even though they knew that maybe I was going to win but they still gave all their effort and it was such a good thing to see.

I am happy that defended my title because everyone was trying to beat me so I was just staying composed and playing my aggressive tennis from the first to the last point.

It was lovely to watch all the categories from Singles, Doubles, wheelchair to seniors and I am happy that this event came back,” the teenager said afterwards.

I am not happy with how I played but it was really nice playing with Okutoyi. I did not even have a chance to hit a ball sometimes but I cannot complain because she is really good. I was actually nervous playing her.

Overall, my game improved in each game that I played and I am really happy with that. The final could have been better but I am happy with how the tournament went,” Mao said.

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It was double glory for Okutoyi as she teamed up with her twin sister Roselida Asumwa to lift the women’s Doubles title as well after beating Tanzanian duo of Mao and Ester Nankulange 6-1, 6-0.

In the men’s Singles category, second seeded Kael Shah produced some incredible tennis to clinch his first Kenya Open title after downing top seeded Albert Njogu in a straight set 2-6, 3-6 epic on Court 1.

In a match that would be defined by one’s ability to hold onto serve and converting any chances gotten, both players passed the test in their opening games.

Kael then held onto his serve in the third game before manufacturing two break points which he managed to use on a second time of asking to jump to a 1-3 lead.

The 18-year-old who is based in Ohio, USA broke again in the sixth game for a 1-5 lead but showed some nerves in closing out the set as Njogu fought back in getting the break back immediately.

As if in response, Kael created three break points immediately after and only needed one to take the opening set 2-6.

In a bid to force the game to a deciding set, Njogu had a chance to steal the lead in the third game but Kael saved a break point from 30-0 down to stay on serve.

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Njogu would then show his fight immediately after as he saved three break points from 0-40 when he won five points in a row.

The inspired play from both players continued up until the eighth game when Kael broke one again for a 3-5 lead before closing out the 2-6, 3-6 win.

“I am really proud to win the tournament because it was a really tough battle. I played really well, smart from the beginning and stuck to my game plan. I also played the important points well.

In the second set, I was 40-0 up and lost that game but I did not get too pissed and I stayed mentally focused. When I got my other chances I took them and I am proud of that because that is what gave me the victory.

It was a proud moment to play in front of my family and in front of a lot of people. Winning my first big tournament here is a proud moment. It was tough when the crowd was against me but that is part of tennis and you have to ignore it sometimes.

Overall, I liked how I played aggressive in the whole tournament, I served really well and in the final I returned well too and put pressure on my opponent which payed off in the end,” Kael said after making history.

Kael added another crown to his cabinet after clinching the Doubles alongside his brother Keean Shah as they beat Njogu and Kevin Cheruiyot 6-1, 6-2 in the men’s Doubles final.

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The mixed Doubles final went to Njogu and Asumwa as the pair edged Isaya Etale and Alica Owegi 6-1, 6-1.

The men’s wheelchair Singles title went to Tanzania’s Peter Isaya who beat Kenya’s Rajab Athman 6-2, 6-4.

The men’s senior Doubles crown went to Alvaro Ballarezo (Peru) and Kirill Kasyanov (Russia) who beat Masimba Muchenje (Zimbabwe) and Flavio Traldi (Italy) 6-4, 4-6, 6-10.

The senior mixed doubles went to Naomi Gatheca/Muchenje who ousted Yan Welffens/Alda Kimemia 6-0, 6-2.