Okutoyi to start African Junior Championship title defense against Moroccan

Kenya's tennis sensation Angella Okutoyi is set to begin her Africa Junior Championship title defense against Moroccan Manal Ennaciri on Tuesday having been handed a bye to the second round.

The Africa Closed Junior Championships served off on Monday in Sousse, Tunisia, with the Moroccan edging out Leena Metwally by straight sets of 7-6, 6-3 to book a slot in the second round against the defending champion.

Okutoyi is currently ranked 59th on the International Tennis Federation (ITF) junior rankings, with her competitor for Tuesday Ennaciri occupying position 236 on the rankings.

The 18-year old had been quoted by Nation Sports saying that it would not be an easy championship despite her recent exposure and performance.

“It will not be easy at all for me from the word go,” he told the publication.

Kenya's other representatives at the competition Cynthia Wanjala and Alicia Owegi were however eliminated in the first round, leaving Kenya's title hopes to only Okutoyi.

Wanjala, ranked 978, was beaten by straight sets of 6-1, 6-2 by South African Leigh Van Zyl while Owegi fell by straight sets also of 6-3, 6-1 to Tunisian Hiba Heni in the first round.

If Okutoyi makes it to the quarterfinal, she will square it out with the winner between Tunisian Amira Bargaoui and Gloriana Goreti Nahum from Benin

Last year Okutoyi saw off Moroccan Aya El Aouni 6-3, 6-3 the final in Sousse to become the first-ever Kenyan African Junior Championship champion.