Top seed Kubai storms semis in junior event

By OSCAR PILIPILI

Top seed Tonia Kubai lived up to her billing after she qualified for the semi-finals in ongoing Wanjiku Ngaruiya Madaraka Day Tennis tournament at JD Tennis Academy.

She beat unseeded Setish Thakker in straight sets of 6-1, 6-1 during their girls’ under-14 quarter-final encounter.

Alissa Thakker who is unseeded in the tournament caused a major upset after she eliminated third seed Millicent Nyabera in straight sets of 6-0, 6-1 in quarters.

From the lower tier of the draw, second seed Sneha Kotecha sailed through to the semis after she beat Mercy Wangui 6-0, 6-1 at the last eight stage to make it to the final.

In girls’ under-12, Alissa Thakker had an easy ride to the semi-finals after she clinched all 12 games against Anne Njeri’s none to advance to the semi-finals of the event sponsored by Bounty Hotel.

Thakker, who got bye to quarter-finals, play winner of the match between Ivy Gitonga and top seed Keya Shah in semis.

In girls’ under-10 Jeevna Heer beat Wema Marundu in straight sets of 4-0, 4-0 in her opening match of this category played on round robin format.

Joy Ndolo handed Marundu her second defeat in the tournament after she beat her 4-2, 4-2 in their match.

The under-10 category has attracted four players.

In boys’ under-12, Kael Shah was the first player to qualify for semis after he beat Mark Njoroge 6-0, 6-1 in quarters.

Rushab Shah would then outclass Anay Shah 6-3, 6-1 to sail through to the last four stage.

Keean Shah, who is seeded second in the tournament, overcame Mateja Mihajlovic 6-1, 6-0 in yet another one-sided quarter final.

The tournament is held in memory of the late Jim Davies who was proprietor of JD Tennis Academy and former chairman Kenya Lawn Tennis Association.

Davies passed on last June after 50 years of dedicated service to the sport of tennis.

Mike Kibala who is managing the academy said: “This tournament is a special one since it marks one year after the death of Davies.”