Angela Okutoyi, the defending champion in doubles at the Wimbledon Junior Championship in London, is the junior tennis player from Africa.
The teenage star defeated Cirica Bagaric of Croatia and Nikola Daubenova of Serbia 6-3 6-4 in the semifinals on Friday to advance as the first Kenyan to a Grand Slam final with Dutch partner Rose Marie Nijkamp.
In today’s final, they will compete against Kayla Cross and Victoria Mboko of Canada.
After losing in the first round of the singles tournament, Okutoyi was ecstatic with her performance.
“I can’t believe am going to play in the final. It has been a great run in the doubles with Rose and just playing in the final of Wimbledon is such an honour,” said Okutoyi.
Okutoyi’ s coach, Thuku Rogoi, said he always had faith that the golden girl of Kenyan tennis will not disappoint.
“Our mantra has always been to take one game at a time and I am delighted we have made it to a final of such a prestigious championship. It’s been hard work and focus and we are relishing the challenge of playing in the final,” noted Rogoi.
Okutoyi and Nijkamp started their campaign by beating Georgia Pedone of Italy and Kathrin Ouerado of USA 6-4 6-2 before dispatching Dennis Glushkosa (Bulgaria)and Hayu Kinoshita (Japan) 6-2 6-3.
In the quarters they beat Czech pair of Linda Klimovicoca and Dominika Salkova 6-7 6-4 and 11-9.
The country’s youngest Kenya Open champion shifted her focus to the doubles after losing in the first round of the singles to Canadian Mia Kupres 6-3 6-2.
