Kevin Cheruiyot powers past top seed Tidimane to make semis
Kevin Cheruiyot reaches for a shot from Alisahibzada of Pakistan in the boys singles match of the ITF East African 18 and Under Junior Circuit 2015 at the Nairobi Club on January 27, 2015. PHOTO | MARTIN MUKANGU |
What you need to know:
- Cheruiyot will face 10th seed Caleb Charkvartthi from United States of America for a place in Saturday’s final.
- Players from 30 countries are taking part in the week long international circuit whose first round ends on Saturday before round two sets commence Sunday at the same venue.
Sixth seed Kevin Cheruiyot on Thursday upset top seed Innocent Tidimane 3-6, 6-4, 6-2 to advance to the semifinals of the ITF East African 18 and Under Junior Circuit 2015 at the Nairobi Club.
Cheruiyot - the only remaining home player in the tournament - will on Friday face 10th seed Caleb Charkvartthi from United States of America for a place in Saturday’s final. The American beat Russia’s Yan Bondarevskiy in straight sets of 7-5 6-4 in the second quarter final match.
Cheruiyot had to come from behind after losing the first set in under half an hour struggling to keep up with the pace of his opponent from Botswana who did not give him time to settle.
However, the Kenyan top seed returned rejuvenated in the second set racing into a 4-1 lead before Tidimane hit back to level at 4-4 but Cheruiyot saved two match points before winning the set 6-4 to level the game.
HEAT CONDITIONS
The third set was equally competitive with both players struggling in the sweltering heat. Cheruiyot - playing with confidence - forced the top seed on the back foot hitting three forehands to the delight of the crowd as Tidimane struggled to keep up with the pace.
The top seed was forced into a number of errors before Cheruiyot served for the match set and a place in the last four as the crowds applauded both players as they walked off court.
“I showed him so much respect in the first set and paid the price for been too timid. However, I was able to relax and played my game in the second set and having taken it, I knew I had it in me to win the match,” a delighted Cheruiyot told Daily Nation Sport after the match.
Cheruiyot remains on course for a double after reaching the last eight in the doubles event where he will team up with Great Britain's Bradley Stoneham against Amarnath Arora (India) and Charkvartthi.
In the girls quarterfinals, second seed Karolina Silwanowiciz from Poland defeated Morocco’s Diae El Jardi 4-6, 6-1, 7-6 while Hilba El Khalif also from Morocco upset third seed Lexie Stevens from Netherlands 3-6, 7-5, 6-3.
Players from 30 countries are taking part in the week long international circuit whose first round ends on Saturday before round two sets commence Sunday at the same venue.
