Changawa siblings excel in Kenya Open at Nairobi Club

Ismael and Shufaa Changawa display the trophies they won in the men singles and ladies singles during the Real Insurance Kenya Open Tennis championship at Nairobi Club. [PHOTO: JENNIPHER WACHIE/STANDARD]

Ismael and Shufaa Changawa are this year’s Real Insurance Kenya Open tennis champions.

Ismael thrashed former champion Duncan Mugabe of Uganda 6-4 6-4 while Shufaa downed the women’s defending champion Caroline Oduor 6-1 6-3 to earn the bragging rights.

Ismael, who is at position 139 in the world junior rankings, was seeded second in the tournament behind Mugabe.

He told FeverPitch that he went into the match to have fun and only decided to go for victory after seeing his opponent struggle.

“My main objective was to play, enjoy myself and have fun, but when I got on court and saw that I was winning I decided to seize it,” he said.

Ismael also attributed his success in the sport to his International Tennis Federation (ITF) scholarship that has enabled him to play in many tournaments.

“I owe my good performance to my scholarship at the ITF centre because I got enough training and I am also privileged to play in high profile meets,” he added.

Ismael, 18, is now shifting attention to the Wimbledon junior championships set for June 28- July 6 in London.

Shufaa, who bagged her second Kenya Open title, had also won her first Kenya Open title at 18 years in 2011. She teamed up with Evelyn Otula to grab the women’s doubles title following their 6-3 6-3 victory against another Kenyan pair of Caroline Oduor and Stephanie Mbaya. Mugabe was very disappointed with the loss.

 “I expected better results and I’m very disappointed but it is a competition,” he said.