Kenya, South Africa and Nigeria have progressed in the second round of the Billie Jean King Cup after the three nations emerged top in their respective Pools in the first stage of the competition.
Kenya, South Africa and Nigeria will now compete for one promotion place while teams finishing in fourth place in the first round-robin will compete to not be relegated.
Kenya will play Nigeria tomorrow in the second round.
Kenya registered a 2-1 win over Burundi with teenager Cynthia Wanjala opening match ending in 6-4,6-1 win over Hoziane Kitambala as Angella Okutoyi saw off another African star Sada Nahimana 6-4, 6-4.
The Kenyan duo of Roselida Asumwa and Stacy Yego lost 3-6, 7-5,7-10 against Sada Nahimana and Hoziane Kitambala.
Following today’s win, Kenya recorded seven victories in the nine matches played and South Africa had a shaky start when Lilitha Ndungane lost to Zimbabwe’s Rufaro Magarira 2-6,1-6 in the first match of the day.
South African recovered by winning the last two matches courtesy of Gabriella Broadfoot who won her singles match against Sasha Natalie Chimedza 7-5, 6-1. South Africa won their doubles match as well.
Following today’s results, South Africa only lost a single match record a 8-1 win.
Nigeria had a 2-1 win against Botswana in the last matches of the opening stage.
African players Barakat Onyinlomo Quadre, Zimbabwe’s Rufaro Magarira and South Africa’s Lilitha Ndungane say by Africa hosting the Billie Jean King Cup it is helping in the developmental of women tennis on the continent. They added this year is more competitive attracting more top players.
Sada Nahimana notes East Africa has immense talent after Kenya and Burundi occupied the top three slots in pool B.
Nigeria’s Barakat Onyinlomo Quadre, Zimbabwe’s Rufaro Magarira and South Africa’s Lilitha Ndungane, Sada Nahimana talking about women tennis and how Billie Jean King Cup helps with development. They talk about the level of competitions on the continent. There is also
Angella Okutoyi, Cynthia Wanjala, Roselinda Asumwa and Stacy Yego