• Wanjala fell short, losing with a score of 6-2, 6-1 despite putting up a spirited fight.
• Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba extended an olive branch to the team by gifting each of the girls Sh50,000.
Image: HANDOUT
Team Kenya showed resilience and determination to ultimately secure a commendable third-place finish in the Billie Jean King Cup Africa Group III.
The opening match of the third-place playoff pitted Angela Okutoyi against Sasha Natalie Chimedza of Zimbabwe.
Okutoyi demonstrated her prowess on the court, prevailing over her opponent with a solid performance, securing a victory of 6-3, 6-4.
Coach Francis Rogoi expressed his delight with the team's achievements stating: "Today's win lifted the team spirit after yesterday's misfortune. We are thrilled to finish third despite being the 11th seed."
“Our journey is undoubtedly a testament to our perseverance and growth as a nation,” he added.
Cynthia Wanjala represented Kenya in the second match but faced a tough challenge against Rufaro Magarira of Zimbabwe.
Wanjala fell short, losing with a score of 6-2, 6-1 despite putting up a spirited fight.
As a result, the fate of the tie rested on the outcome of the doubles match.
In a captivating clash for the third-place decider, Okutoyi and Alicia Owegi faced off against Chimedza and Rugarira.
The intensity was palpable throughout the match and the teams battled fiercely for supremacy with the first set concluding in a nail-biting tie-breaker, ultimately won by Kenya with a score of 7-6.
The competitive spirit continued unabated in the second set, leading to a 5-5 draw, which pushed the match into yet another gripping tie-breaker.
Okutoyi and Owegi showed great chemistry to win the set 7-6.
Okutoyi said: “I am really happy with our position as we all worked pretty hard to get here. We are all very thankful to the fans that turned up as well as the Ministry of Sports for their immense support throughout the tournament."
Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba extended an olive branch to the team by gifting each of the girls Sh50,000. In so doing, he reiterated the government's commitment to investing more in tennis.