Britam Kenya Open: Ssekandi makes good start

Britam Kenya Open Championship

Selected results

Singles

Men

P.Ssekandi  (Uganda) bt S. Hooker (Kenya) 6-3,6-1

M.Ondiek (Kenya) bt  H. Ishida (Japan)  6-4, 6-2

P. Nyakabau  (Zimbabwe) bt  M.Omondi (Kenya) 6-0, 6-1

Ladies

R. Asumwa (Kenya)  bt G.Miheso (Kenya)  6-2 ,6-0

R. Wanjala (Kenya)  bt S. Kivanze (Kenya)  6-1 6-1.

Uganda's Paul Ssekandi had a good start in the Britam Kenya Open Championship in Nairobi with a 6-3, 6-1's victory over Suhail Hooker in the first round of the main draw  Monday.

Ssekandi is part of four Ugandan players currently representing the country in the weeklong tournament. Others include; Boris Aguma, Cynthia Tayebwa and Rossete Musoke. Musoke and Tayebwa.

This year's championship has attracted players from Zimbabwe, Zambia, Rwanda, Uganda, Japan, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Burundi, Germany, Sudan, Ghana and Zambia.

The Open comprises of the following categories: ladies and men's singles, ladies and men's doubles, mixed doubles, veteran category (players over 40 years of age), handicap category, wheelchair competition - singles and doubles.

The number of entries for this year's event surpassed the draw which is 48 for men and 32 for women.

Ugandan top tennis star Duncan Mugabe will not defend the Kenya Open Championship titles he won last year.

Mugabe, who won singles, doubles and lost in the mixed doubles finals didn't register in  this year's championship that got underway last weekend since he is in California taking up in Futures tournament.

Like Mugabe, Natali Coronel of Argentina who won the ladies single category will also not take part in the event.