Okutoyi succumbs to first-round exit in second W15 tourney in Nairobi

Kenya’s 18-year-old tennis sensation Angella Okutoyi had a disappointing end to her second appearance at the W15 ITF Women's World Tennis Tour currently being held at the Karen Country Club as she was knocked out in the first round of the competition after succumbing to a 6-3, 4-6, 7-6(4) defeat against first seed Emily Seibold on Thursday afternoon.

Having made history last week in the first edition of the tournament by becoming the first Kenyan player to reach an ITF World Tennis Tour final, which she ended up losing against the very same Seibold, Okutoyi was looking for the perfect slice of revenge after being paired against the German once again.

Spirited Okutoyi denied W15 title on home soil

However, despite not having the support of the home fans, Seibold showcased why she won the first tournament last week and was once again ranked as the first seed spot in the competition as she emerged victorious in a thrilling match that was forced all the way into a decider.

The 22-year-old German started on the front foot as she took the first set 6-4 but Okutoyi got into gear in the second set and forced the game into a deciding third set which was pushed all the way to the tiebreaker with Seibold just managing to get the upper hand as she nicked it 7-4 to advance to the second round and send home favourite Okutoyi crashing out.

Aside from Okutoyi, no other Kenyan managed to get into the second round.

Qualifier Stacy Chepkemei Yego went down to a straight set 6-, 6-1 defeat against Alexandra Iordache. Wild card Claire Muthoni lost 6-, 6-0 against Shivani Sravya, Roselida Asumwa was beaten 6-3, 2-6, 0-6 while Cynthia Wanjala lost 6-0, 6-0 against Celine Siminyu.