It was a mixed feelings today for Kenya’s top seed and the defending champion, Jane Ndenga at the third PUMA Engineering International Wheelchair Tennis Championship, as she was crushed by unseeded Nigerian on the very day of her birthday in the women’s singles.
• Asiya Sururu
Jane, who is ranked 67 on the ITF list, arrived Abuja Wednesday for the tournament, and suffered 6/3, 7/6(0) in the first round in the hands of unseeded Grace Nwaozuzu at the Tennis Complex of MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.
• The Kenyan team
It was not a really good outing for the Kenyans in the tournament, as second seeded Asiya Sururu, who is ranked 105 on the ITF list was exited in two straight sets 6/1, 6/2 by Kafayat Omisore.
Next on the list of casualty was 128th ITF ranked Phoebe Masika, who dropped off at the hands of Nigeria’s Kemi Oluwaseun at 7/5, 6/2.
• Joyous Jane Ndenga… cutting her birthday cake with colleagues
Exited but excited Jane afterwards celebrated her birthday with her colleagues by cutting a large cake provided with drinks shared among players and officials at the Tennis Lounge.
It was the same first round stoppage for the Kenyan men in the singles despite their ITF rankings.
Athman Rajab, who was drawn bye in the first round, could not withstand the strokes from Nigeria’s Terlumun Ukari as he bowed out in two straight sets 6/2, 6/1 for the latter to advance to the quarter finals against Alex Adewale that defeated Benedict in two straight.
