Ugandan Mugabe wins Britam Kenya Open

After a convincing win in the men’s semifinal match against top seed and Defending champion Ismael Changawa, Sheil Kotecha took the centre court to take on Uganda’s 4th seeded Duncan Mugabe in the Men’s singles final of the 92^nd edition of the Kenya Open Championships.

Everything seemed to be working well for the 18-year-old Kotecha, taking the first set with a blistering 6-1 win. Mugabe was back in the match in the second set to level matters with a tight 6-4 win.

The match had to be decided in a heated third and final set with both players looking to make amends from their opening two sets.

The Ugandan would soon take advantage to use his power serve earning much-needed points when sheil failed to return the aces from Mugabe.

Sheil, Kenya’s hope in the final failed to pick up from where he left off in his semi-final match and would eventually give in. Mugabe went on to win the final set 6-4 and clinched the title he last won in 2013 after being disqualified in last year’s final for gross misconduct.

Mugabe’s resilience and good shape saw him through the tournament having managed to get past Kenya’s elite squad through to the final. Coming into this tournament, he knew what he wanted but getting to the final was not on his list. But he managed to get through one game at a time.

“I was not sure I would make it to the finals but I’m glad I did and now I’ve won against a very good player,” Reiterated Mugabe.

In the ladies Singles Final, Argentine Natali Coronel picked up where she left in the semis as she had a convincing 2 set win over Celestine Avomo of Gabon.

The 24-year-old 4th seed had a convincing start with a 6-3 win in the first set.  The 3rd Seeded Gabon Ace bounced back to level matters in the second set with a narrow 6-4 win.

The match would be decided in the final set as Natali continued her good run taking an early lead from the first game before eventually sealing a 6-0 win to claim the ladies title, her second major title in her career.

”I came into this match knowing it is a tough one, I do not always want to set targets but I always try to go for a win.’’ Natali, the Uganda-based, Argentina-born said.

In other results, Ismael Changawa and her elder sibling Shufaa Changawa finally salvaged something after a disappointing run in their respective singles semis when they edged out Duncan Mugabe and Natali Coronel in straight sets of 7-6 and 6-4 to clinch the mixed doubles title.