Kenyans fall as moroccans rule doubles: Home girls sink to South Africans and Egyptians in junior doubles

BY ELIZABETH MBURUGU

Abigael Tarte returns a shot during the Under-16 girls’ doubles International Junior event at the Nairobi club, yesterday. She partnered with Tonia Kubai. [PHOTO: JENNIFER WACHIE / STANDARD]

Moroccans dominated the quarter-finals as Kenyans sank in the ongoing Kenya International Junior tennis championships being held at the Nairobi and Public Service clubs.

Kenyans Tonia Kubai and Abigael Tarte lost 6-0 6-2 to South African siblings Zani and Lee Bernard in the girls’ Under-16 doubles, as Vanessa Egesa and Natalya Mburu fell to Egyptians Khaled Hala and Dailia Sherif in the Under-14 category.

The tournament will be used to rank players for the International Tennis Federation (ITF) and Confederations of African Tennis (CAT) African Junior Championships that kick off on Monday at the same venues.

The day’s events started late as heavy rain rendered the courts unplayable.

ITF supervisor Patrick Kamuhia told FeverPitch that the rain interfered with their original schedule but they were up to task and would make sure that the event was a success.                                        “We had to start late because we could not use the courts in the morning. We were affected by that but we are still working hard to make sure that the event is a success despite the challenges.”

In the girls’ Under-14 category, Diae El Jardi dismissed Burundian Sada Nahimana 6-3 6-4 to sail through to the semis.

Another Moroccan, Yasmine Bengebara, thrashed Egyptian Dalia Sheriff 6-2 6-1 to make it to the last four. 

Hala of Egypt excelled against Tunisian Yassmine Mansouri 6-4 6-4.

 Celestine Ella Avomo of Gabon booked a semi-final slot when she trumped Burundian Aisha Nyonkuru 6-3 6-4.

Ismael Saadi, also of Morocco, triumphed in the boys’ Under-14 category 6-2 6-0 against Aly Galal of Egypt. And in the most heated match of the day, Daniel Goudjini of Togo walloped Jonathan Mugisha of Burundi 6-7 (5) 6-4 10-5.

Al Hussein Lamis of Egypt beat Elizabeth Garos Pam of Nigeria 6-2 6-2 to cruise to the semis of the girls’ Under-16 category.

In another quarter-final match, Zainab Elhouari of Morocco sent packing Zani Barnard of South Africa 0-6 6-4 6-2.

Chiraz Bechri of Tunisia dismissed Egyptian Lasheen Habiba 6-2 7-5 while South African Lee Bernard prevailed 2-6 6-3 6-3 over another Moroccan, Ghita Benhadi.