Abdallah wins U-14 boys’ title

By ERNEST NDUNDA

Kenya’s Nedim Abdallah light up Mombasa Sports Club after he completed an impressive run in the ITF/CAT African Tennis Tournament with a straight set win in the final of boys’ under 14.

It was a sweet victory for Kenya after other players fell on the wayside, leaving Abdallah as the country’s only hope. Abdallah, who is a member of the Mombasa Sports Club, tennis section, braved morning chilly weather to pull a major upset after stunning top seeded Sulle Omari of Tanzania.

However, Abdallah had to sweat for the victory after his opponents resisted his volleys in both sets before winning 6-3, 6-3.

“It was a tough match but I had mastered Omari’s serves before unleashing my secret weapon,” said Abdallah.

“I am looking forward to winning the second round, which starts tomorrow (today) as I would be the top seed by the virtue of winning the first leg,” added Abdallah as he strode majestically before the cheering crowd.

Omari conceded defeat but vowed to revenge in the second leg.
On their way to the final, stopped second seed Mnenard Frenk if Tanzania 6-3, 6-1 while Omari defeated Jonathan Mugisha of Burundi 6-4, 6-3.

In boys’ under 14 doubles, Omari partnered with Frenk to win the title with Kenya’s Nadim and Rwanda’s Fabrice Tuyishime finishing second.

In girls’ under 14, Nahimana Sada of Burundi emerged victorious after beating her country mate Niyonkuru Aisha 6-1, 6-1. En route to the final, Sada beat Kenya’s Faith Nyabera 6-1, 6-0 while Aisha floored Kenya’s Kubai Tonia 6-4, 6-3.

In girls’ under 14 doubles, Sada teamed up with Aisha to win the title with Kenya’s pair of Tate-Harte and Tonia settling for the second slot.

In boys’ under 12, Kenya’s Randiek Ryan’s good run was checked in the final after he lost to Ranaivo Toky of Madagascar who beat him 6-3, 6-1. In semi-finals, Ryan had stopped Rakotobe Hasina from Madagascar 7-6 (1), 6-0 while Toky edged out Kenya’s Albert Njogu 6-2, 6-4.

In girls’ under 12, Ravoniandro Fitia of Madagascar topped Kenya’s Esther Wahome 6-1, 6-2 in the final.