High octane
Kenya’s tennis season came to a thrilling climax yesterday after three weeks of top action with the icing on the cake being the Boys Doubles Series at the Nairobi Club.
The finale pitting two of the best doubles partners lacked so much of glitz but it was worth a nervous ending regardless.
The pairing of Reesh Haria and Sahib Chana were the eventual winners after a 6-4/6-2 win over Faruk Juma and Gilbert Omitsa in the mid-day match.
The much awaited tie, however, started a bit slow with both sets of players sizing each other up before the groove came.
In the first set, the winning duo proved strong with solid serves with the latter proving hard to contain with their powerful servings.
Incidentally, the same pair had many errors especially the double faults. Reesh was quick on decision but a bit slow in executing the desirable shots.
They duly took the first game before the opponents tied and forced a deuce-break on the next game before beginning to settle in.
The next two games, Reesh and Sahib widened and had a bit of ease and composure but a series of flaws saw Faruk and Gilbert quickly rush back to business.
The second set was a total difference as the losing finalists began making erratic mistakes especially while on serve.
They were not rallying enough and not getting closer to the net which subsequently exposed them.
Inside eight minutes, the duo already had come from a game down to tying and giving themselves hope.
They even went ahead and took the second game after a double fault by Reesh off a screaming shot from Gilbert on return. However after that, it was all a huge mess for them with Reesh and Sahib coming in hard and shutting out all any lurking danger all the way to the end to end up leading the standings in the round robin tournament.
Nervousness
“The second set was awful for us because nothing really worked. I feel we got nervous but at least we got lessons.
They just got us well and all credit to them. All our serves were broken and it was just embarrassing but we will fight again,” said Omitsa after their award presentation.
On their part the victors; Reesh and Sahib praised their work ethic for the win.
“It is a good boost for us and we will take it in slowly. “We took more risks and were more confident.
I think we settled in quicker and hit the right balls in. This is good practice for what awaits us in the New Year.
Our opponents had chances but never utilised them and always we were far ahead,” stated Sahib, 15.
