Kenya’s Jane Ndenga loses opener at Nairobi Club
South Africa's Marsika Venter returns during the BNP Paribas World Team Cup Tennis African qualifiers at the Nairobi Club on February 26, 2015. PHOTO | MARTIN MUKANGU |
What you need to know:
- Home player Jane Ndenga lost to South African Marsika Venter in straight sets.
- Ndenga was delighted with her performance despite the loss.
Kenya lost her opening game in the BNP Paribas World Team Cup Tennis African qualifiers against South Africa at the Nairobi Club on Thursday.
Home player Jane Ndenga lost to South African Marsika Venter in straight sets of 6-1 7-5 in her first game, giving favourites South Africa their first win of the event.
Venter, the highest ranked player in the event (53rd globally) outplayed Ndenga to win in an hour and 45 minutes.
Ndenga put up a spirited fight in the second set, stretching her more fancied opponent to the limit.
In the end however, the gap in class between the two players showed as Venter held off for the win that puts South Africa on top of the standings.
Ndenga was delighted with her performance despite the loss noting that her opponent had an advantage of playing more international tournaments.
Ndenga will be aiming to bounce back in her second match when Kenya take on Mauritius on Friday before tackling Morocco on Saturday. Kenya are the defending champions.
“We still have a chance in the event despite the loss and we will keep fighting to the end. I gave my all but my opponent won because she’s been exposed to so many international events as compared to us but all is not lost,” Ndenga said.
MOROCCAN WON
In another women’s match, Morocco’s Azhour El Houary beat Malika Khelifi of Mauritius 6-0, 6-2 to give her country her first win. South Africa and Morocco both have three points while Kenya and Mauritius have none.
The top two teams in the pool will battle it out in the final on Saturday, the winner qualifying to represent Africa at the World Team Cup set for May in Turkey. Kenya’s men’s team of Peter Munuve, Caleb Otieno Odiyo and reserve player Timoi Iteken will start their campaign at the tournament on Friday.
Kenya are in Pool Two along with South Africa and Tanzania. The hosts will take on favourites South Africa on Friday.
Kenya men’s coach Lawrence Karanja hopes be playing at home will benefit his players as they seek to make up for last year’s disappointing result where Kenya finished fourth and failed to qualify for the World Cup.
