Top seeds unscathed as Kenya Open roars back to life after four year absence

The Kenya Open tennis championship finally made its comeback after a four-year-long hiatus with players from within and beyond boarders taking to the newly refurbished clay courts at the Nairobi Club on Monday morning for the start of the main draw.

Having been last held in 2018, the event finally roared back to life with the top five seeds in the men’s category safely securing their passage to the Round of 16.

First seed Albert Njogu got his tournament off to a positive start with a convincing 6-2, 6-0 victory over Obed Omaiyo in the Round of 32.

Kael Shah and Keean Shah who are the second and third seeds respectively proved too good for their opponents of the day as they both bageled Peter Opuken and Mokksh Elen Shah in both sets to record comfortable wins.

Rwanda’s Erneste Hamiyabere (4) won the visitor’s clash as he ousted Vedrines Kirenge from the Democratic Republic of Congo 6-4,6-1 to progress to the next round.

Kevin Cheruiyot (5) rounded off the wins in the top five players after breaking little sweat in beating Burundi’s Amadi Nkurikiye 6-1,6-0 on Court 8.

The women’s category saw Emaan Amin, Monica Waithira, Achu Madhieu (Sudan), Angeline Akinyi, Joy Nangami, Shakira Varese and Rose Wanjala all confirm their spots in the second round slated for Tuesday.

Faith Kipyegon’s 1500m and 5000m World records ratified

“We are excited that Kenya Open is finally back. As a federation, we were not proud to miss Kenya Open for the last four years. Since our last sponsor Britam, we have been struggling to bring sponsors on board and to get a long-term commitment.

But nevertheless, the motivation came from hosting the Billie Jean King Cup and we just decided to have the event whether we have a sponsor or not.

Gor, Homeboyz to face off in curtain raising FKF Charity Shield Cup

Most of our development players are missing because of the National School Games but the turnout is still good and we aim to increase going into the future.

Kenya Open used to be the biggest tournament in East and Central Africa and if we plan it and get sponsor commitment, we can make it much bigger and better,” Tennis Kenya Executive Offcer Nancy Nduku said.

Tuesday’s matches will see the women’s defending champion Angella Okutoyi, who is fresh from winning her first professional title in Tunisia, play her first match against Amin on Court 8.

Angella Okutoyi – Tennis barrier breaker who rose from a children's orphanage to the Grand Slam

Her twin sister, Roselida Asumwa, the second seed, will open her campaign against Wanjala on Court 2.

Tanzanian duo of Shana Mao (3) and Esther Nakulange (4) will take on Nangami and Waithira respectively as Alicia Owegi (5) faces Sudan’s Madhieu.

The full results for the tournament can be found here.