East Africa ITF Under 18 Circuit Day One

John Lutaaya

Chizi Mutsumi

There were mixed results on our first day at the Circuit: Amadi had a tough second round match with Merkling Sias (RSA). Amadi was leading 5-4, then it got dark and he couldn't see well, though they insisted on playing on, and lost first set 5-7. They continue tomorrow. Jamin won first round, then fought very hard in the second - rallies were averaging 29 per point. Very impressive. He lost, but is proving himself, finally. The same goes for Lutaaya with an honorable loss aaainst Shekarizz Ashkan (IRI), in the final set, after a tough 3.37 hours, making it the longest match of the day!
The tournament has a large contingent of Spanish, Italian and Polish academies, with Sanchez Cassale being one of the toughest (coach, trainer, physio!). Only one person fainted - damn!
Little Chizi Mutsumi took too long to start, was really terrified, and picked up in the tail part of the match: she said "now I know how to play next time, just watch me."
Olivier Kigotho was amazing, he showed all the elements of a big player. Unfortunately, experience got him in the end.
The footnote today belongs to little Henry, for whom the match against  Merkling Sias, ended before he even began to play, had a permanent puzzled look on his face for the rest of the day.
Keeping you posted.....