Heartache for Kotecha and Cheruiyot as Kigotho advances

Kenya’s Olivier Kigotho on Tuesday advanced to the third round of the International Tennis Federation (ITF) 2016 East African 18 and under junior circuit on another disappointing day for the country.

Kigotho was the sole home winner at the second leg of the ongoing event at the Nairobi Club as fellow home players Kevin Cheruiyot and eighth seed Sheil Kotecha crashed out.

Kigotho, the lowest seeded player in 16th place, advanced to the third round after his opponent, Ismail Saadi from Morocco, retired in the first set which Kigotho was leading 2-0 in the boys’ second round singles match.

The Moroccan cited a knee injury that saw his participation in the event end prematurely with only 20 minutes into the first set.

Kigotho started strongly dominating his opponent with a number of powerful serves to take the first two games before Saadi retired.

The Kenyan is optimistic he can fly the country’s flag high in the singles event following the elimination of his compatriots - Cheruiyot and Kotecha.

“It was not how I wanted the game to end but he seemed to be in a lot of pain that hindered his movement. I hope I will have a complete match in the next round but I am excited to have gone through,” Kigotho told Daily Nation Sport.

“The pressure is on me as the only Kenyan player left in the competition and I will give my best.”

Second seed Cheruiyot was upset by unseeded Simon Anthony Ivanov of Bulgaria 6-7 (2), 6-4 in their second round boys’ encounter. Cheruiyot rallied from 4-0 down to level to 4-4 before forcing the set into a tie break.

The Bulgarian held out to take the tie-break 11-9 and cruised in the second set with Cheruiyot unable to rally back.

“I started out on the wrong foot and had to constantly fight for every ball. He (Ivanov) took advantage of my mistakes and was able to make them count,” Cheruiyot said.

Kotecha was unable to find a way past Valentin Royer of France, losing 1-6, 1-6 in another boys' second round encounter.

Defending champion and top seed Joshua Howard Tripp of South Africa eased to a 6-0, 6-1 win over Albert Njogu ending the latter's participation in the event. On Monday, five home players lost in the first round.