Kenya beat Benin in Davis Cup

Kenya's Sheil Kotecha in Men singles during the 14th African Nations Cup at Nairobi Club on Nov 8, 2016. [PHOTO: JONAH ONYANGO/STANDARD]

Kenya put up a spirited fight to secure a deserved 2-1 victory over Benin in the ongoing Davis Cup Africa Zone Group 3 Tennis Championship night at the Solaimaneyah Club in Cairo, Egypt, on Wednesday.

The win saw Kenya at the top of Group B to enhance their chances of promotion.

On a mission to avenge last year’s loss to the West Africans, the Kenyan trio of Sheil Kotecha, Ismael Changawa and Ibrahim Kibet executed their plan well. Kenya’s number two Kotecha was first on court taking a 1-0 lead after beating Benin’s Felix Hounkpevi 6-3, 6-1 in the opening rubber.

It was a battle of top seeds in the second singles rubber as Kenya’s Changawa took on Benin’s number one Alexis Klegou. But just like last year in Madagascar, Changawa fell to the West African 6-3, 6-2 to level the score at 1-1 and set the stage for a nail-biting decisive doubles clash.

The Kenyan duo of Kibet and Changawa took to the stage for a face off with Klegou and Delmas N’tcha. The Kenyans had everything going for them as they eased to a 6-3 win in the first set. Nonetheless, the opponents were not ready to let them have their way and fought harder to take the second set 7-5.

With their fate dependent on the outcome of the deciding set, the quartet geared up for an electrifying end. Benin dominated and seemed to be headed for another victory after taking a 5-2 lead. But the Kenyan pair was not ready to go down without a proper fight and bounced back to save eight match points to level the score 5-5.

There was no looking back for Kenya as the team went on to break the tie 7-6 and secure the crucial win after two hours and 45 minutes of battle. Kenya coach Rosemary Owino said the will to fight to the end won the match for them.

“The fighting spirit did it for us. I believe our performances have also improved with every match played,” Owino said on phone from Cairo.

Kenya had a one-day break and will take on Libya in their last Group B match tonight. In another Group B tie, Algeria beat Botswana 3-0. Hosts and favourites Egypt beat Rwanda 3-0 in their second Group A match and Zimbabwe beat Nigeria 2-1.

The homeboys will tackle Zimbabwe in their last Group A match today and the winner will top the group.