Hopes hit early as Kenya stumble on Davis Cup opening day
Reading Time: 2min | Wed. 17.06.26. | 19:07
They will seek to rebound on Thursday against Botswana at the same venue
Kenya’s tennis team endured a difficult start on Day One of the 2026 Davis Cup Africa Group IV Tournament at Nairobi Club on Wednesday, 17 June, after suffering a 2-1 defeat to favorites Algeria.
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Kenya, who are looking to gain promotion into the continent’s Group III, were dealt a huge blow to their ambitions by the North Africans, who defied the partisan crowd in Nairobi, to take early control of proceedings, and take a step towards avenging their relegation from the third-tier last year.
After a colorful opening ceremony in front of dignitaries including International Olympics Committee member Humphrey Kayange, Kenya kickstarted its campaign led by team captain Ismael Changawa, who dueled up with Samir Hamza Reguig in the first singles match.
After exchanging the first six games, it was Hamza, ranked 751st in the world singles, who took the opening set 6-3, setting a platform to steal a 6-3, 6-4 straight-sets victory, following a crucial break in the ninth game of the second set.
Tasked with giving Kenya a chance to force a doubles tie-break was Kael Shalin Shah, suffered a similar rude awakening, going down in three sets to world number 563 Toufik Sahtali.
Shah, having taken a 6-4 lead, was unable to build on his momentum, falling 6-1, 6-2 in the following sets, leaving Kenya’s fate sealed, despite a doubles match still left to play.
The doubles contest indeed provided the hosts a chance to window-dress, as the duo of Liberty Kibuye and Zayyan Virani outclassed their counterparts Hamza and Nazim Makhlouf - to a 6-3,7-6 (7-4) victory.
The win for Algeria saw them take the lead in Group A, with Kenya falling to the bottom. In the other Group A match, Ghana secured a 2-1 victory over Botswana, to move up to second place.
Kenya’s quest for a maiden win comes on Thursday, 17 May, when they play Botswana at the same venue.