Top seed Kotecha through to third round

Top seed Kenya’s Sneha Kotecha is in line for her third title after she beat Oceane Mallevre from France in straight sets at Nairobi Club on Tuesday to reach the third round of the ITF East Africa Junior Circuit 18 and Under tournament.

Kotecha ran through the French girl 6-1, 6-0 and will now meet Chyara Onia Seke from Belgium for a place in the quarter-finals.

Oseke upset 13th seed Suzaine Prestorius from South Africa 6-3, 7-6 (6).

“I used my good serves to dispatch the equally good Mallevre,” said Kotecha, who reached the final in one of the similar events in January before winning two ITF East Africa Junior Circuit 18 and Under titles in July.

“I have no pressure as top seed since I have been playing well.”

The morning rains halted most of the second round matches.

Second seed Aisha Niyonkuru of Burundi was up against Rebecca Brody from South Africa for a place in the third round.

While Niyonkuru had a bye in the first round, Brody battled to dismiss C. Zhuwakini from Zimbabwe 6-2, 3-6, 6-2 to qualify for the second round.

Third seed Van Der Merwe from South Africa will take on Zimbabwe’s Nicole Matukutire in the second round. Matukutire eased past Kenya’s Stephanie Musasia 6-2, 6-2.

Fourth seed Tea Lukic from Germany meets C. Mutuyimana from Burundi in the second round. Mutuyimana edged out Kenya’s Gabriella Miheso for a date with Lukic who had a bye.

12th seed Ananya Vartak from Great Britain tossed out Clenia Niyonshima from Rwanda 6-1, 6-1 to advance to the third round.

In boys’ event, Kenya’s 13th seed Derrick Ominde beat Rishi Ayyapan from India 6-4, 3-6, 6-1 to reach the third round.

Alexander Gammariello from Italy stunned ninth seeded Iranian Arya Roghani 6-3, 6-3 to also reach the third round.

Second seed Sina Moghimi from Iran faces Belgian A. Stockbroekx in the third round. Stockbroekx dismissed Kenya’s Brian Madegwa 6-0, 6-0 for a date with Moghimi who had a bye.