Kenyan tennis prodigy Angella Okutoyi has clinched her spot in the African Games final for the first time, following an epic 4-hour, 27-minute semifinal showdown against Egypt’s Mayar Sherif.
Sherif, a global powerhouse ranked 70th, claimed the first set 7-5, but Okutoyi roared back in the second set, seizing victory at 7-5, setting the stage for a thrilling finale.
The third set was a lightning-paced exchange, with both athletes trading blows, yet Okutoyi showcased her prowess with a hard-fought 7-6 triumph over the Egyptian.
Now, eyes are set on the grand showdown as she prepares to face Lamis Abdelaziz, another formidable Egyptian contender, in the eagerly anticipated final slated for Thursday.
Having earned a first-round bye, Okutoyi powered through the competition, toppling Zambia’s Naomi Chileshe (6-6, 3-1) and Egypt’s Mostafa Rafaat (6-6, 3-3) in the next two rounds.
She beat Morocco’s Aya Elaouni 6-6, 4-4 to set up her place in the semi-finals.
But the action doesn’t end there. The 20-year-old dynamo will also dazzle in the doubles semi-finals alongside Cynthia Cheruto, taking on the formidable Egyptian duo of Sherif and Lamis Elhussein later on Wednesday.
The pair saw off Sierra Leone’s Sandy Sierra and Elena Asgill-Whalley 6-2, 2-6, 12-10 in the quarter-finals.
Okutoyi was the first Kenyan to win a Grand Slam title at the girls’ juniors Wimbledon, England, event partnering Rose Marie (Netherlands).
The duo beat Kayla Cross and Victoria Mboko of Canada 3-6, 6-4.
She was also the first Kenyan representative to win a girls’ junior single Grand Slam match at the 2022 Australian Open.
