Kenya’s tennis campaign comes to a painful end

Kenya's Ismael Changawa reacts after losing in Mens singles to Amine Ahouda at 6-2, 6-0 during the 14th African Nations Cup at Nairobi Club on Nov 8, 2016. [PHOTO: JONAH ONYANGO/STANDARD]

Kenyan players were yesterday knocked out of the Africa Nations Tennis Championships at the Nairobi Club.

Ismael and Shufaa Changawa, as well as Sheil Kotecha, who were the remaining Kenyans in the tournament, crashed to painful defeats in their respective quarterfinal matches.

Sixth-seed Ismail lost 6-2, 6-0 to top-seed Amine Ahouda of Morocco in the first men's quarterfinal match.

Sheil Kotecha followed on court against second-seed Moez Echargui and went down the same route, losing 7-6(1), 6-1, despite a strong show in the first set.

With the elimination of the two, all eyes shifted focus on Shufaa, who had eliminated Adomon Marie-Angie Sia of Ivory Coast in the previous round. It was expected she would restore the country's battered pride.

However, this was not to be, as the Kenya Open women's champion fell at the hands of Morocco's Chiraz Bechir, who won 6-1, 6-3, to qualify for the last four.

The top-seed will play compatriot Diae El Jardi, who overcame seventh-seed Nancy Onya of Democratic Republic of Congo 6-3, 4-6, 6-0 in their quarterfinal clash.

Shufaa said she was disappointed with her performance despite the high expectations she had going into the continental showpiece.

"I was expecting to reach at least the semi-final stage and it is sad I have to go out this way. I was beaten by a better player and I will work hard and come back better in my next competition," she said.

Shufaa started well in the set, taking the first match with some powerful serves that stunned her opponent. However, she was unable to build on the momentum as Bechir recovered to level 1-1, before dominating the rest of the set, winning almost all 50-50 serves at the net.

It was no different with the second set as Shufaa desperately tried to come back into the game, while cheered on by the home supporters. However, the gap in class was obvious and Moroccan saw out the set before winning the match in 74 minutes.

Ahouda, who led Morocco to the Davis Cup Group II competition early this year, oozed class as he outclassed Ismail.

In the under-14 Masters at Public Service Club, Kenya's Ryan Randiek lost 6-7 (5), 6-4, 6-2 to South Africa's Carl Roothman.