BJK Cup Day 3 Live: Kenya comfortably secure bragging rights over Uganda

Welcome to Day 3 of the 2023 Billie Jean King Cup ongoing at the Nairobi Club.

So far so good for Team Kenya after a perfect start to the competition following a 2-1 stunning win over top seeds Morocco on Monday and a clean sweep against Botswana on Tuesday.

Wednesday presents an East African affair as the hosts take on noisy neighbours Uganda in the beautiful looking clay courts.

While Kenya come into the game flying, their neighbours are limping having been easily brushed aside by Nigeria and Morocco in their two opening games.

Just who will clinch the bragging rights and the crucial points in the derby? Stay tuned for all the live updates.

Captain Francis Rogoi opts to shake up things for the tournament as Angella Okutoyi who has normally played in the second Singles match gets the nod over usual starter Alicia Owegi.

Team Uganda will be represented by Patience Athieno.

Some reason to doubt for the Ugandan as she faces an opponent who has not lost any of her two matches and only needed 53 minutes to dismantle Botswana on Day 2.

BJK Cup Day 2 Live: Kenya secure clean sweep over Botswana

Both players ready for play after going through their normal paces during warmup.

This doesn't look like it will take long as Okutoyi breezes to a 3-0 lead against Athieno.

And after only fifteen minutes and five aces, Okutoyi confirms her dominance as she takes the first set 6-0 without breaking a sweat.

Crowd all left in admiration with the effortlessness of the 19 year old.

She had a 69% first serve success rate compared to Athieno's 23%. She won 8/11 of the points (73%) while the Ugandan managed only 1/3 (33%). Set 2 to come.

Just like the opening set, the Ugandan does not seem like she will have any answers to a blistering Okutoyi.

It only takes her nineteen minutes to dismantle her opponent as she bagels her opponent once again 6-0 to win the match 6-0, 6-0.

The win now hands Team Kenya the advantage going into the second match that will begin shortly.

Coach Rogoi throws another tactical change as she hands Cynthia Wanjala her first Singles match in the tournament.

Wanjala, the 19 year old studying at Mbagathi Road Secondary school, has already had a taste of action after appearing in the Doubles on Day 1 against Morocco where Kenya stunned the top seeds 2-1 after winning that match.

The Kenyan will face Winnie Birungi. Ahead of this match, Kenya can win the point should Wanjala manage a victory.

In a seesaw affair, Wanjala manages to emerge on top in the first set as she confirms a 6-3 victory after 32 minutes.

The student successfully used all her four break points to win the match as she took 32 points in the set compared to Birungis's 21.

Team Kenya looking in confident mood today if the three sets are anything to go by.

Although it takes the same time as the first, Wanjala this time bagels her opponent to win the match 6-3, 6-0.

In that set, she took three of the four break points she created as she fended off the Ugandan on two occasions from breaking.

The victory now means Kenya have the precious 2-0 heading into the Doubles to come shortly.

Another new pairing for Kenya as Rogoi hands reserve player Melissa Wanjala her very first game of the tournament where she will partner Roselida Asumwa in the last match of the day.

Asumwa played with her twin sister Okutoyi in the Doubles on Day 2 against Botswana.

They will face Athieno and Birungi seeking redemption after being beaten in both Singles matches.

Kenya smell blood and only need thirty one minutes to take the opening set 6-2 after breaking twice while saving two break points themselves.

Set 2 also takes only 27 minutes, this time Kenya get the 6-0 win.

In under one hour, Team Kenya confirm the 6-2, 6-4 victory to complete the clean sweep.