Kenyans Zayyan Virani and Jeff Okuku made encouraging starts to the J30 Nairobi tournament with hard-earned victories, while compatriots Aum Chandarana and Felicia Ouko endured early exits in the second round at the Nairobi Club on Tuesday.

Fresh from an outstanding showing at the Eastern Africa Junior Tennis Championships held at the same venue, Okuku carried his fine form into the International Tennis Federation (ITF) junior grade event.

Okuku, who clinched both the individual and team under-16 Eastern Africa titles last week, battled past Spain’s Pablo Salazar in a tense encounter.

The Kenyan took the opening set 6-2, dropped the second 4-6, but showed composure and mental strength in the match tiebreak to edge out his opponent 10-8, sealing his place in the next round.

Spain-based Kenyan Virani also progressed, though his victory came under difficult physical circumstances.

Virani recovered from losing the first set 4-6 to Uganda’s Samuel Okello, dominating the second set 6-2 before cruising through the match tiebreak 10-2.

However, the win was overshadowed by injury concerns, as Virani revealed he picked up an abdominal strain early in the contest.

“The match today was not the best and not what I had planned,” Virani said after the match.

“I led the first set 3-0 and then felt an abdominal tear in my ab, preventing me from moving and serving properly. But I managed to play simple and finish the points fast to avoid prolonging the match. I’ll try my best to recover fast and get some treatment before my next match, which I will again play simple. I’m not going to expect much and will just play my tennis and see what happens.”

In contrast, Chandarana found the going tough in the boys’ category. He struggled to cope with the pace and consistency of Spain’s Stefan Shangichev, going down 6-1, 6-3 to bow out in the second round.

The girls’ draw also saw Kenyan disappointment as South Africa-based Felicia Ouko exited in the second round after a closely contested match against Anastasiia Garasim.

Felicia won the first set 6-3, but was unable to sustain the momentum, losing the second set 7-6(5) and the tiebreak, 10-6.

Action continues later today Tuesday, with several Kenyans still in contention. 

Bathsheba Ogamba, Seline Ahoya, Stacy Yego, Ashley Wafula, Paula Ouko, Hadassa Msine, Jenerica Thuku, Reyan Bulsara and Evans Mundia are all scheduled to take to the clay courts as local players look to build on early successes and keep Kenyan hopes alive at the J30 Nairobi tournament.