Top seeds in Coast Open semis

Top seeds Anthony Mathenge and Derrick Inyanje reached the semi-finals of the Coast Open Table Tennis Championship after winning their matches at Brahma Samaj Hall in Mombasa on Sunday.

Mathenge and Inyanje have also qualified to represent Kenya at the Olympic qualifiers to be held next week in Doha, Qatar, from May 10 to 13.

The two top-seeded players put up a sterling performance to win their matches and qualify for the event’s semi-finals. They have set up a date with top Ugandan players to determine the winners of this year’s men’s singles in the tournament.

With the qualification of the men players in to the team, the Kenya team is now complete. The Kenyan team to Doha will be composed of  Mathenge, Inyanje (men), Sejal Chandarana and  Gloria Sigowo (women).

The team will be managed by Samson Ateka.

Mathenge started the tournament on a bright note, beating Hardrick Modha 3-0 (11-8, 11-7, 11-5) before  registering a 3-1 (11-2, 11-6, 6-11, 11-6) victory over Peter Theuri. 

Inyanje also had a remarkable start when he defeated Harshall Shah 3-0 (11-6, 11-6, 11-6). 

Top Uganda players,  Kevin Mafabi and Ronald Nyaika also won their opening matches and have qualified for the semi-finals.

Ugandans win to advance

Kevin Mafabi opens his campaign with an easy 3-0 (11-4, 11-5, 11-3) win over Bernard Njiriga before recording an identical 3-0  (11-7, 11-3, 2-11, 11-3) victory over Allan Kiprotich.

Nyaika also beat Daniel Mwangi 3-0 (11-8, 11-4, 11-6) to book a semi-final place.

Coast’s Jinita Shah and her sister Tarit Shah helped Brahma Samaj to win the Coast Open women’s crown when they edged Strathmore University 3-0 in the final match.

In earlier matches, Brahma Samaj beat Oshwal 3-1, Kengen defeated St Teresa’s 3-1 and Savana edged Burhani Sports Club 3-0.