Selina Ahoya and Melissa Mwakha dominated the Eastern Africa Zonal Tennis Championships individual titles in Bujumbura, Burundi.
Ahoya beat compatriot Nancy Kawira 6-3, 6-4 to win the girls' under 14 category
Ahoya was in dominant form throughout the tournament, edging home favourite Ceilla Kezakimanana 6-2, 7-5 as Kawira proved too strong for Burundi's Thierine Ineza with a 6-3, 6-2 win.
Mwakha,15, lived up to the expectations after outwitting second-seeded Mercyline Oresha 6-1, 6-1 in a one-sided final.
In the semifinal, Mwakha defeated teammate Sophie Nelima 6-1, 6-2 while Oresha overpowered Tanzanian Nasha Singo 6-0, 6-2.
Ahoya said she was delighted with the win and hoped it will be the start of a successful year in regional and continental tournaments.
"I'm delighted with the victory and I hope I can build on that as we eye team titles heading to the weekend,” added Ahoya.
In the boys' individual category, Ayush Bhandari settled for third place.
Bhandari beat second-seeded Jonah Ssentongo from Uganda 6-2, 6-0. The two suffered upsets against eighth-seeded Miki Igiraneza (Burundi) and fourth-seeded Abdul Latif Ssendyowa (Uganda) in the semi-finals respectively.
Burundi also won the boys' 16 and under after top-seeded Terry Gatoto Allan beat Uganda second-seed Troy Zziwa 6-1, 6-0 in the final.
Gatoto edged Kenya’s third-seed Baraka Ominde 6-0, 6-1 in the semi-final as Zziwa stopped Burundian Brunel Niyongere 6-4, 6-1. Ominde, however, bounced back to beat Niyongere 6-2, 6-1
Jeff Okuku who was seeded fifth for the boys' competition finished ninth overall after beating Dan Muteramphuwe of Burundi 6-0, 6-2. The tournament acts as a qualifier for the Africa championship later in the year.
Coach Veronica Osogo expressed confidence that the form shown in the singles can be replicated in the team event this weekend.
"The team has performed well in the individual categories and we hope we can carry the same form in the team event which is vital for qualification.
