The Kenyan Tennis Team managed to edge out Rwanda in the Davis Cup Opener. In the men's singles, Albert Njogu took all the 2 sets, winning 6-1,6-1 against Niyegena Etienna. The second match saw Kenyan star, Ismael Changawa beat Bertin Karenzi 7-6, 6-2. The third match up which was actualy a men's double had Kenya on the lead once more when Kevin Cheruiyot and Ibrahim Kibet grabbed the two sets; 6-4, 6-2.
"We had to start off right because it gives us direction on how to handle the rest of the masses. The team did so well in their serves which is something we emphasized on during training and now we are glad it has paid off. Our motto is to just take one match at a time and not let someone else's results affect the next match," said Davis Cup non playing captain, Francis Rogoi.
For 20 year old Njogu, this was his major tournament in almost two years. His first appearance in the regional tournament was in 2019 when he was part of the team that qualified for the 2020 Euro/Africa Group 2 playoffs in Indonesia. However, he missed the playoffs since he was sitting for his Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations. Njogu, ranked at position 308 in the International Tennis Federation (ITF) junior rankings, thrashed Davis Cup debutant Etienne with strong serves and his speed on the court as he reigned supreme in all his games in both sets.
Kenya has been placed in Group B alongside Ghana, Rwanda and Mozambique in the seven team contest. Egypt, Algeria and Benin are in Group A. Today, Kenya will continue with its hunt for a position in the semifinals when they face Mozambique in their second match.
The top two teams at the end of the round-robin format advance to the semis, with the winner of Group A facing the runner-up of Group B, and the winner of Group B facing the runner-up of Group A. The two finalists will advance to the 2022 World Group II Playoffs.