Okutoyi crowned Africa Junior champion in Tunisia
Angela Okutoyi in action during a previous tournament in Ruiru, Kenya.
What you need to know:
- Seeded second, the 17-year-old Okutoyi, who is placed 142nd in the International Tennis Federation (ITF) Junior Rankings, defeated her higher ranked opponent Aouni (126) from Morocco 6-3, 6-3 to win the prestigious African event
- The 2018 Kenya Open champion now shifts focus to playing in three Women’s 15 Monastir (Futures) in Tunisia slated for December 6-12, December 13-19 and December 20-26
Kenya's Angela Okutoyi upset top seed Aya El Aouni in the singles final of the 2021 Africa Junior Under-18 Championships in Sousse, Tunisia on Friday.
Seeded second, the 17-year-old Okutoyi, who is placed 142nd in the International Tennis Federation (ITF) Junior Rankings, defeated her higher ranked opponent Aouni (126) from Morocco 6-3, 6-3 to win the prestigious African event.
On her way to the final after earning a first round bye, Okutoyi dismissed Meriem Ben Ezzedine (1,277) from Tunisia 6-2, 6-1 in the second round, made to sweat by Spain-based Ekua Youri (807) from Botswana in 1-6, 6-4, 6-3 win in quarter-final and swept aside Malak El Allami (482) 6-3, 6-2 in the semi-final of the tournament meant only for African players.
Okutoyi went into Friday’s final with a poor record against Aouni, having lost 6-2, 4-6, 4-6 during the JB2 Pretoria in South Africa in February 2020.
“Big win for Okutoyi. This is the biggest and prestigious Africa Junior Championship. It has good points for ITF,” said Okutoyi’s Coach Francis Rogoi after the historic win.
Okutoyi picked 200 points for ITF ranking from the tournament.
The 2018 Kenya Open champion now shifts focus to playing in three Women’s 15 Monastir (Futures) in Tunisia slated for December 6-12, December 13-19 and December 20-26 where there is Sh1.5 million (USD15,000) up for grabs in each of the tournaments.
