Top seed Kenyan tennis players Ismael Changawa and Sneha Kotecha booked have qualified to play at the final match of the Karen Open Tennis Championships at Karen Club.
The title defending champion Changawa set a date against Burundian Guy Iradukunda while Kotecha will be seeking her maiden title against Narindra Ranaivo from Madagascar in men and women categories respectively.
Changawa edged out compatriot Sheil Kotecha Korea in straight sets of 6-3, 6-0 having trailed 3-2 in the first set.
Iradukunda piped Kenya’s Albert Njogu also in straight sets of 6-4, 6-0 to set up Kenya’s top seed Changawa.
Changawa and Iradukunda will be meeting for the first time in almost two years. Changawa upset top seed Duncan Mugabe 6-0, 6-1 to lift last year’s title.
Changawa found himself trailing 3-2 before getting his rhythm to break Sheil’s serve a couple of times to win the first set.
Kotecha will represent the Kotecha family at the final after her brother Sheil was bundled out by Changawa.
Kotecha will be seeking her maiden Karen Open title against Ranaivo from Madagascar.
Top seed Sneha stamped her authority, beating Narindra’s twin sister Mialy 6-3, 6-4while Narindra withstood a second set scare to eliminate Nancy Onya from the Democratic Republic of Congo 7-6 (5), 5-7, 7-6 in the semi-finals.
Njogu, who trailed throughout almost had Iradukunda to the sword thrice at 3-2, 4-3 and 5-4 but let it go to the good-serving Burundian.
Additional information Daily Nation