Ishmael Changawa has confirmed participation in next month's Kenya Open Tennis Championships.
Currently playing in the Davis Cup in Rwanda, Changawa will feature alongside Derrick Ominde, Ibrahim Kibet, and Albert Njogu in a tournament that returns after a four-year hiatus.
Tennis Kenya (TK) executive officer, Nancy Nduku, said other top Kenyan players are yet to confirm their participation but they expect a good turnout.
“Currently, the team is playing in Rwanda in the Davis Cup and after the tournament, they will rest before featuring in Kenya,” she noted.
Changawa, who lost in the last Kenya Open final in 2018, said playing in the Davis Cup will aid his preparations for the event.
"We are looking forward to the event and we hope to win the tournament,” said Changawa. He said they expect tough competition from the overseas players coming for the tournament.
“It won't be easy although I guess we have an advantage considering we will be playing at home on the refurbished courts and we can't wait,” he added.
Changawa won the title between 2014 and 2016 and said he has pleasant memories of the event.
“I have happy memories of winning it three times. I lost the last one in 2018 to my good friend Kibet ( Ibrahim). So this time, we will put our friendship aside when we step onto the court and play hard to win,” he added.
Elsewhere, Angela Okutoyi stunned German Helena Buchwald 7-5, 6-2 in the first round of the ITF Women's World 15s tournament in Monastir, Tunisia.
The 2022 Wimbledon doubles Junior champion who lost in the last eight last week was in superb form, serving several winners past her opponent.
“It was a tough battle. I started slowly and grew into the game. For me, it's one match at a time," added Okutoyi.
She added: "I have worked on a couple of areas and I hope they bear fruits if I progress to the latter rounds of the tournament."
