Kotecha seals third ITF Junior title as Njogu stumbles
Sneha Kotecha of Kenya celebrates winning the ITF East Africa Junior Circuit 18 and Under girls' title after beating Laura Van Der Merwe of South Africa 7-5, 5-7, 7-5 in the final at Nairobi Club on November 24, 2018. PHOTO | SILA KIPLAGAT |
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However, luck was not on Albert Njogu‘s side as his hopes for a maiden title went up in smoke after he lost to Rostislav Galfinger from Kazakhstan in another three-set thriller in the boys’ final
The second set proved pulsating as Kotecha led 4-0 but some double faults in her game saw Van Der Merwe break her serve to level at 4-4 and 5-5
Njogu rued basic mistakes especially the double faults that allowed Galfinger to break his serve in the first and third sets to win
Kenya’s Sneha Kotecha withstood a three-set battle of nerves to beat South Africa’s Laura Van Der Merwe and complete a hat-trick of victories in the ITF East Africa Junior Circuit 18 and Under at the Nairobi Cub on Saturday.
However, luck was not on Albert Njogu‘s side as his hopes for a maiden title went up in smoke after he lost to Rostislav Galfinger from Kazakhstan in another three-set thriller in the boys’ final.
Kotecha’s serve especially in the second set almost ruined the morning for the Kenyan, who eventually weathered the storm to win 7-5, 5-7 and 7-5 in the final that took three hours and five minutes.
Njogu might have rallied superbly to break Galfinger’s serve in the second set but it was all in vain for the Kenyan, who went down 3-6, 6-4 and 3-6 in the final that lasted for two hours and 30 minutes.
“This is one of the toughest finals I have encountered. It was energy-sapping but I am glad to have triumphed,” said Kotecha, who noted that the first set could have gone either way after they studied each other.
Sneha Kotecha of Kenya plays a forehand pass to Laura Van Der Merwe of South Africa during their ITF East Africa Junior Circuit 18 and Under girls' final at Nairobi Club on November 24, 2018. Kotecha won 7-5, 5-7, 7-5. PHOTO | SILA KIPLAGAT |
The second set proved pulsating as Kotecha led 4-0 but some double faults in her game saw Van Der Merwe break her serve to level at 4-4 and 5-5. The South African once again broke Kotecha’s serve to take the lead for the first time in the set 6-5 before serving for victory 7-5.
“I failed to convert as Van Der Merwe played extra balls inside to win the set,” said Kotecha, who also found herself leading 4-1 in the decisive set only to let Der Merwe rally to break her serve and level at 5-5.
Then Kotecha would break Van Der Merwe’s serve to win the next point and lead 6-5 before serving to win 7-5.
Kotecha reached the final in a similar event in January, won two ITF East Africa Junior Circuit 18 and Under titles in July before upholding her winning form on Saturday.
“It’s all about hard work, determination and putting the best in very stroke,” said the 16-year-old.
Kotecha is now eyeing her fourth victory in the next ITF East Africa Junior Circuit 18 and Under tournament whose main draw starts Monday at the same venue.
“I blame myself especially the last two sets. I had Kotecha but allowed her to recover with good rallies,” lamented Van Der Merwe.
Albert Njogu of Kenya plays a backhand pass to Galfinger Rostislav of Kazakhstan during their ITF East Africa Junior Circuit 18 and Under boy's final at the Nairobi Cub on November 24, 2018. Galfinger won 6-3, 4-6, 6-3. PHOTO | SILA KIPLAGAT |
It was Njogu’s second final, having reached one semi-final and three quarter-finals in previous editions.
Njogu rued basic mistakes especially the double faults that allowed Galfinger to break his serve in the first and third sets to win. Njogu had successfully broken Galfinger’s swerve in the second set.
“It’s disappointing knowing that I could have done more. I live to fight another day and I know my day will finally come,” said Njogu, 17.
