Sibling success in JD tourney

By Erick Ochieng’

Michelle Onyancha enhanced her chances of clinching the girls’ under 14 category by beating Sifa Harerimana from Burundi 4-0,4-0 on the second day of the International Tennis Federation/ Confederation of African Tennis East Africa Junior Championship in Parklands Sports Club, Nairobi.

This was the second time the Jim Davies Hard-court Junior Tennis championship girl’s under-21 champion won with a similar margin after defeating Sudanese Akram Lena on Monday in the girls’ under-14 category.

Erick Kipkoech in action during the Confederation of East Africa Junior Tennis Championship at Parklands, Nairobi, Tuesday. [PHOTOS: JONAH ONYANGO/STANDARD]

Michelle’s brother Derrick also left nothing to chance, following his sister’s footsteps by beating Salum Msafiri from Tanzania 4-1,4-1 in the boy’s under-16 category at Sadili Oval Centre in Lang’ata, Nairobi.

Jim Davies girls’ under-14 champion Stephanie Mbaya continued with her good run in the championship by winning her first match 4-2,4-1 against Harerimana in the girls’ under-14 pool B.

Strong signals

Mbaya also overpowered Lena 4-0,4-0 to send strong signals to Onyancha that she should not be underrated.

In girls’ under-14 Pool A, Damaris Musera also did Kenya proud by walloping Anita Nzeyiman of Burundi 4-1,4-0.

Musera went ahead to overcome Cherryl Fouasso, the only Kenyan who is yet to win a match, 4-1,4-0. Fouasso lost her first match 4-1,4-0 to Samah Adam of Sudan.

Nikita Dawda won 4-1,4-0 in the girls’ under 16 pool A tie against Lydia Ndagire of Uganda.

Ariana Lobo also failed to keep Kenyan players’ winning ways in the pool when she lost her first match 4-0,4-0 to Dinkinesh Tamru of Ethiopia.

Easy win

Rwandese Gissele Umumararungu beat Tanzanian Lydia Lucas 4-2,4-0.

In girls’ under-16 pool B, Gloria Chelang’at lost 4-0,4-1 to Ethiopia’s Meron Getu. Burundian Santiana Irankunda had an easy win over Agnes Mpanja of Uganda whom she beat 4-0,4-0.

Ishmael Changawa (Kenya) won 4-0,4-1 against Ethiopia’s Ayalew Eskndir to increase Kenya’s chances of winning the overall title.

In other matches, Hossam Ndayishimiye (Burundi) beat Khalid Mohamud (Sudan) 4-0,4-0. Kagoma Ahmadi (Burundi) beat Nordine Adan (Sudan) and Jamine Luvembe (Kenya) 4-2,4-2 and 4-1,5-4.

Many courts at Parklands were in good states after the rains that have been pounding the city subsided.

ITF East Africa development officer Prince Madema said they will consider revising the fixtures and may bring all players back to Parklands.

"We have made all the courts and we hope the rains won’t destroy them. When all the players are around, it is easy to make things move faster," said Madema.