BJK Cup: Outstanding Wanjala delivers Kenya’s first win alongside spirited Okutoyi

Hosts of the 2023 Billie Jean King Cup, Kenya, managed to do what many had been hoping for but a little bit doubtful about as they stunned top seeded Morocco 2-1 to grab an important first win in the twelve team tournament that served off on Monday morning at the Nairobi Club.

Ranked eleventh out of twelve, Kenya did not allow their position to play any part in the tie against the favourites as the diminutive Cynthia Wanjala from Mbagathi Road Secondary school, held her nerve at 6-5 when Kenya had just managed to get a crucial break, to seal the match 6-4, 7-5 in front of a raucous home crowd for their first win in the tournament.

The tie had been pushed into the deciding Doubles match after Angella Okutoyi brilliantly drew her team back into the affair following her impressive 7-5, 6-3 victory over Malak El Allami to make the tie 1-1.

Alicia Owegi, who was entrusted with playing the opening match had unfortunately lost 6-3, 6-0 against Aya El Aouni who handed her side the early advantage which Kenya managed to successfully navigate in the end.

“The two games I played were really tough but I went into the court motivated without thinking too much about the opponent. I went in just focused on how I would play and that is really what gave me a lot of chances in the match.

I also collected positive energy from the crowd and my teammates which really helped me because I was down 2-4 in the first set in my singles match before coming back to win 7-5.

In the Doubles, it was the motivation we had between me and Cheruto that helped and I want to thank her for playing with me,” Okutoyi said after the game.

BJK Cup 2023 Live: Kenya stun Morocco to get crucial win over the line

Match 1: Alicia Owegi 3-6, 0-6 Aya El Aouni

Kenya proved on the day that winning would be like a marathon, and it is how you finished that mattered over the start.

A powerful Owegi, who had matched up to her opponent all through the opening five games, got broken in the sixth game (2-4) and Aouni never looked back as she went to close out the set 3-6.

The second set proved to be a huge mountain to climb for the Kenyan as she was bageled by the spirited Moroccan who took the match 3-6, 0-6 to hand her team the advantage.

"I think I came out with a lot of energy and I enjoyed the crowd. It was unfortunate that a few games and the first set and the second set did not go in my favour but I did all that I could today and I am excited to see how the tournament progresses.

After coming close to winning the first set but ending up losing it kind of threw my momentum off a little bit.

I would have loved to win but I know the tournament is still young and there is a lot of matches to go so I am looking to see what I can do next. I just need to maintain good momentum throughout the games to come," Owegi said after her loss.

Match 2: Angella Okutoyi 7-5, 6-3 Malak El Allami

When country needed her the most, the 2022 Wimbledon Girls' Doubles champion delivered as she came up trumps with the straight set victory over Allami.

The Auburn University scholar from the USA had to do it the hard way as she came from 2-4 down in the first set before pulling back and grabbing a 7-5 win in the first set.

In the eighth game, the 19 year old managed to use her third break point as she drew level at 4-4 before breaking again in the eleventh game for a 6-5 lead.

Her power and precision finally came through as she held her serve for the 7-5 win.

The second set saw the two players trade early breaks but Okutoyi twice got the break to seal the 7-5, 6-3 win that pushed the game into a decider.

Game 3: Okutoyi/Wanjala 6-4, 7-5 Aouni/Yasmine Kabbaj

Kenya made their only break in the match count as they picked the first set 6-4.

After comfortably holding their serve in the opening game, the away side used the first of their three break points to take a 0-2 leadas they showed some intent knowing too well they needed to win the second set in order to force a deciding third set.

The Kenyans however found another gear as they broke in the seventh game before holding serve to tie the clash at 4-4.

Comfortable holds would follow from both sides to make it 5-5 before Kenya smelt blood and delivered a suckerpunch to lead 6-5 ahead of their service game.

Wanjala managed to hold her nerves as Kenya took the second set 7-5 for the overall 2-1 win.

"Before the game, I was really tensed and afraid to play. But after we got one game, I was free and able to play. When serving for the match, I was trembling because I did not want to let down my teammates but they gave me the energy and courage to play," Wanjala said after the big win.

Other Results

Botswana 2-1 Namibia

Burundi 0-3 Mauritius

Ghana 0-3 Zimbabwe

Nigeria 3-0 Uganda

Tunisia 3-0 Seychelles