Kenyan players recorded mixed fortunes as the women's World Tennis Tour qualifiers got underway yesterday at the Karen Club.
Mary Wachira, Claire Muthoni and Cynthia Wanjala were bundled out after failing to progress from the qualifying draw.
Wachira suffered a 6-0, 6-2 loss at the hands of Sharanya Shetty of India as Muthoni was overpowered by German Akua Akoma Hansen 6-0, 6-0. Israeli Adi Bitton was awarded a walkover against Wanjala who fell ill.
Stacy Yego was given a reprieve after losing to India's Mahrukh Kokni of India 6-2, 6-2. She emerged as one of the lucky losers from the side of the draw and will face Linda Salvi of Italy.
Wildcard Roseline Asumwa, who is Okutoyi’s twin sister, will face Australian Nessa Pratt in the first round. If Asumwa wins, a second-round date against sixth-seeded Sharmada Balu from India or Kenyan Katarina Karanja awaits.
Wimbledon doubles junior champion Angela Okutoyi said she is targeting winning the event before flying to Auburn University in the USA in January.
"I m determined to win this tournament and I have trained well and I am relishing the challenge," added Okutoyi. Okutoyi was due to face Sharanya Shetty in the first round
Victory over Shetty will see Okutoyi meet the winner between eighth-seeded Sevil Yuldasheva from Uzbekistan and Tanzanian qualifier Ester Nankulange in the second round.
