Njogu, Kotecha triumph

[PHOTO: COURTESY]

Albert Njogu and Sneha Kotecha yesterday registered wins in the Tennis Federation (ITF) East Africa Under-18 Junior Circuit at Nairobi Club.

Ryan Randiek, another Kenyan, was however unlucky as he fell to India's Rithvik Bollipalli to bow out in the round of 16. Bollipalli was too good for Randiek, winning in 6-2, 6-1.

Njogu put up a spirited fight against another Indian Aman Patel, beating him in three sets of 6-4, 4-6 and 6-2 to glide into last eight showdown. Sneha was in fine form dismissing Russian Ksenia Shikanova in straight sets of 6-4 and 6-3 to secure a semi-final slot. She will take on Metka Komac of Slovania, who beat Aisha Niyonkuru of Burundi in the semis while Njogu will face off Abdul Shakur Kabura, a familiar foe. Burundi's Kabura outclassed Italy's Samuel Ruggeri 6-3, 6-2 to set a date with Njogu while Komac humbled Niyonkuru, who is one of the best junior players in East Africa in 6-0, 6-2.

Italian Marcello Serafini booked his quarter-final spot with a 7-6, 6-1 win over Iran's Sina Moghimi.