African Games champion Angela Okutoyi hailed Team Kenya's fortitude as they beat Tunisia 2-1 in the Billie Jean King Cup Group 3 Championship at the Nairobi Club on Tuesday.
The country's highest-ranked player said a never-say-die attitude was the catalyst as the hosts exacted revenge over the North Africans after defeat in April 2004 during the Europe /Africa Group Three playoffs, where Kenya lost 3-0.
“Today was a tough battle in all three matches. Unlike the match we played against Mauritius, we had to dig deep to win today's fixture," said Okutoyi.
The win kept Kenya's hopes alive in the 12-team tournament. Only one nation is guaranteed qualification to Group Two next year.
The defeat all but ended Tunisia's hopes of advancing having lost 2-1 to Burundi on Monday.
The hosts got off to a poor start when Cynthia Wanjala lost to Ranim Rassil 6-2 6-4 in the opening singles match.
Wanjala was easily broken by the Tunisian in the first set as she raced to a 3-0 lead before the Kenyan regained her composure to win the fourth and fifth games.
However, the momentum dropped as she made several errors and double-faulted on her points for the Tunisian to close out the set.
Wanjala pushed the Tunisian close in the second set but came up short.
All eyes were then on Okutoyi in the second singles where she defeated Chiraz Bechri 6-2 7-6(11-9) in a tie-break in an entertaining match that saw Kenya level the tie at 1-1.
The 2022 Wimbledon junior doubles champion dominated the first set but had to fight tooth and nail in the second set against the hard-hitting Tunisian.
Okutoyi and Wanjala teamed in the doubles to defeat Bechri and Lamis Haquas 6-2 6-4 to bring the crowd on their feet in celebrating a hard-fought victory.
Coach Francis Rogoi expects a tough encounter against Burundi on Wednesday.
"There are no easy matches and small teams. We have to be well-prepared, both mentally and physically, for a tough showdown.
Tournament favourites South Africa dismissed Madagascar 3-0, Zimbabwe beat Namibia by a similar scoreline while Botswana edged Uganda 3-0.
Nigeria made light work of neighbours Ghana in a 3-0 win.
