Billie Jean King Cup: Kenya bag bronze as Morocco crowned champs

Kenya bagged bronze while Morocco were crowned the champions as the curtains came down on the 2023 Billie Jean King Cup Africa Group III tournament at the Nairobi Club Saturday.

The Moroccans outsmarted Tunisia 2-1 to emerge the best while home team Kenya dispatched Zimbabwe 2-1 in the fight for bronze.

The Moroccans, thanks to the win, earned the nod to represent Africa at the Euro-Africa tourney next term.

The contest drew a good crowd and it was star girl, Wimbledon junior doubles champion Angella Okutoyi who swept aside Sasha Natalie of Zimbabwe 6-3, 6-4 in the opening singles of the day.

However despite setting the tone of the day it was not all rosy for the Kenyan team as Cynthia Cheruto fell 6-2, 6-1 to Magarira Ricardo of Zimbbwe in another singles contest.

Kenya however shone in the doubles as Okutoyi, a big name on our shores,  alongside Owegi Alicia  won on tie breaks of 7-6 (4), 7-6 (1) against Zimbabwe pair Natalie and Magarira.

For their efforts the six Kenyan players in the tourney were awarded Sh178, 000 bonus each.

"We definitely improved in all fronts, we had better serves than any side in the tournament," Okutoyi told journalists in a post-match interview but was quick to add that the bonus, handed over to them by the government, will serve as a motivation.

On her part Owegi hailed the team for their imperious fight.

Kenya’s collated results

Kenya 3-0 Uganda

Kenya 3-0 Botswana

Kenya 2-1 Morocco

Kenya 3-0 Namibia

Kenya 2-1 Zimbabwe

Kenya 1-2 Nigeria