Changawa and Kibet stay on course in Karen Open Championship

Ibrahim Kibet in a past match [PHOTO: COURTESY]

Ismael Changawa and Ibrahim Kibet yesterday reached the semifinals of the 2017 Karen Open Tennis Championships at the Karen Country Club. The homeboys defeated their Ugandan counterparts to set an all-Kenyan semifinal clash, thus assuring the hosts of a place in the final. 

He was in superb form, dominating his opponent from the onset to secure his place in the last four. Ayella was totally outclassed as the Kenyan raced to a 4-0 lead in the first Kenya’s Ismael Changawa.

He bounced back to win the fifth and sixth game, but Changawa, set out to secure the first semis slot, comfortably sealed the first set 6-2. The second set was also a one-sided affair, with the Ugandan guilty of several unforced errors.

 Changawa, who won last month’s Rwanda and Malawi Open tournaments, was composed as he easily secured the win. Changawa told The Standard Sports that he has yet to face any challenge in the tournament, but that he would not lose focus.

“So far I have not been really tested and I feel unchallenged. However, there is no room for complacency because my eyes are fixed on the prize,” he said. Uganda’s David Oringa lost 6-4, 7-5 to Kibet. Kenya’s hopes of securing the women’s singles title suffered a major setback after top seed Shufaa Changawa lost to Madagascar’s Corrine Narindra 6-1, 6-2.

Changawa is the Kenya’s highest ranked player. Today’s matches will feature Men’s singles quarters Kotecha (Kenya) v Sheil Abdoul Shakur Kabura (Burundi) Cheruiyot Kevin (Kenya) v Duncan Mugabe (Uganda) Women’s Singles quarters Kotecha Sneha (Kenya) v Hoziane Kitambala (Burundi) Nkatha Judith (Kenya) v Cellestine Avomo (Gabon) made easy work of Uganda’s Simon Ayella, dismissing him 6-2, 6-1.