Brandon Sagala is optimistic about improved performance in the second week of the International Tennis Federation (ITF) tour at the Nairobi Club.
Kenyan players fell by the wayside last week and Sagala says he intends to take one match at a time to improve his ranking before the end of the year.
"Last week was tough for most of the Kenyan players and I hope we have learned our lessons and we should be able to put in stronger performances in the course of the week,” added Sagala.
Sagala leads a strong Kenyan contingent for the championship which includes Alvin Mwenda, Ruhan Bhandari, Shaib Singh, Rogelio Mamai, Raymond Oduor, Liberty Kibue, Brian Nyakundi and Baraka Ominde
In the girls' category, Rosehilda Asumwa will spearhead Kenya's charge alongside Cynthia Wanjala, Linda Serem, Stacy Chepkemoi and Reha Kipsang will be gracing the event.
Asumwa and Wanjala are using the tournament to fine-tune preparations for the Women's World Tennis Tour which kick offs next week at the Karen Club.
Asumwa is upbeat about her chances and said: “Featuring in the ITF tourney means solid preparation for the women's event in Karen and it gives us an opportunity to get matches under our belt and be in the best shape for the big event next week."
She added that she is working on several aspects of her play as she looks forward to being competitive.
“There are a couple of areas I need to work on in my game to be in good shape for the women's tournament next week," she noted.
Asumwa, who is a twin sister of Wimbledon Junior doubles champion Angela Okutoyi, said she is delighted her sister will be playing on home soil for the first.
“ I'm happy I will be sharing a court with her. She has done the country proud and we are trying to emulate her achievements."
