Adetunji siblings call the shots at JD Junior tourney

By Oscar Pilipili

Adetunji sisters Rotayo and Rotimi won the girls' singles Under-12 and Under-14 categories at the Coca Cola-sponsored Jim Davies Hardcourt Junior Tennis Championship in Nairobi.

The Adetunjis topped respective round robin categories to be crowned queens at the Jim Davies Tennis Academy Sunday.

Rotayo won all her five matches to lead five other contestants to claim the title and relegate Sneha Kotecha to the runners-up position.

Inspired by the performance of her younger sister, Rotimi did not disappoint as she cruised to victory in the Under-14 category, beating Cherryl Fuasso 5-4 (7-2), 4-0 in a final clash.

"We are all happy after our achievements in this tournament. This is New Year’s present for our family," said Rotayo.

Rotimi said: "It is a good beginning for the new season and we will continue to train hard and play better to win next tournaments."

JUNIOR CROWNED

Nine-year-old Keya Shah was crowned champion in the girls’ singles Under-10 category after leading with three points.

The boys’ title went to Keean Shah, who topped the Under-10 category on five points, one more than runner-up Ryan Randiek.

The most interesting encounter of the day was that pitting the boys’ Under-12 champion, Dilan Thakkar against Rishabh Sevak, which lasted for three hours.

Thakkar recovered from a one set down to beat hard-fighting Sevak 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 in the marathon final.

Thakkar said: "The match was good but tiring. After losing the first set, I started playing well with powerful strokes and proceeded to win."

"It was a memorable victory because it was my first time to play in the Under-12 category," said the Class Six pupil at Peponi Preparatory School.

Thakkar had previously dominated the Under-10 category rankings, where he was the top seed.

Michelle Onyancha dominated the top two girls’ categories, running away with both girls’ Under-16 and Under-18 crowns.

Onyancha beat Alvas Wahome and Makena Ngugi with uniform sets of 4-0, 4-0 to top the round-robin Under-18 category.

Ngugi finished second following her 4-2, 4-3 victory against Wahome.

Onyancha was a clear winner in the Under-16 age group, where she won all her six matches while Damaris Musera came second with five wins.

Sheil Kotecha won the boys’ Under-14 category, with Randall Randiel finishing second.

Jim Davies, the proprietor of JD Tennis Academy, said that the tournament was played on round robin format to offer players more matches.

"The players need to play against each other to come out with true champions, besides offering them more playing hours," said Davies, former chairman of Kenya Lawn Tennis Association (KLTA).