Changawa dispatches Kibet to storm Kenya Open final

Ismael Changawa plays a shot to Ibrahim Kibet during the Britam Kenya Open Championship singles semi-finals match on June 24, 2016 at Nairobi Club. Changawa won 6-3, 6-0. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO |

What you need to know:

  • The women’s singles final will be an all-Kenyan affair as Shufa Changawa and Stephanie Mbaya both overcame their semi-final opponents.
  • The six-day action comes to a close Saturday afternoon at the Nairobi Club

Defending champion Ismail Changawa on Friday dispatched fifth seed Ibrahim Kibet 6-3, 6-0 to storm the final of the Britam Kenya Open Championship at the Nairobi Club.

Two-time champion Duncan Mugabe also overcame Kevin Cheruiyot 6-1, 6-3 in the other semi-final, setting the stage for a potentially explosive final against Changawa.

The two rivals will now brace the dipping Nairobi temperature this morning as they fight for the region’s bragging rights in today’s final, and both players have promised to fight until the end.

“I am strong but more than that I will be playing for my country Kenya. The trophy needs to remain at home and I shall work hard to make that happen,” said Changawa.

The women’s singles final will be an all-Kenyan affair as Shufa Changawa and Stephanie Mbaya both overcame their semi-final opponents.

Top seed Changawa overpowered Angela Okutoyi 6-4, 6-3 to secure in their semi-final as second seed Stephanie Mbaya beat Congolese player Nancy Allyson 7-5, 6-2 in a closely fought battlein the other last four encounter.

In the first semi-final, Shufaa raced to a 5-2 lead before her opponent pegged her back to win two consecutive games to set up a nervy end to the set.

The Mombasa-based player however unleashed her powerful serves and thwarted all of Okutouyi’s attempts as she wrapped up the game with a 6-4, 6-3 win.

The six-day action comes to a close Saturday afternoon at the Nairobi Club, where winners in the men and women’s singles category will carry home a cash prize of Sh90,000 and Sh80,000 respectively.