Sheil Kotecha in action against Court de Ivoire Abdul Karim Quattara. [ Photo/the-star.co.ke]

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Sheil Kotecha advanced to the quarter finals of the International Tennis Federation (ITF) Nairobi Junior Open second leg after thumping Great Britain’s Derrick Chen 6-2,6-0.

Kotecha looked focused to do what he does best in the first set, winning the first five games courtesy of poor reception by his opponent.

However, the journey to the last eight proved tough easy for him in the subsequent two games as the Briton got his winning formula to clinch a double. Nonetheless, he recollected himself to win his sixth game, a result which saw him win the first set.

The visiting Briton found the going tough in the second set, where he failed to cancel any game as the opponent stayed on course for qualification. Kotecha attributed success to his avid desire to win games.

“Every game I play I always feel the urge to win and this keeps me going. He didn’t challenge me as I had expected and every opportunity I got I made use of it. I am happy to be in the quarters,” he said as quoted by the Star.

In other boys matches played at the same venue, Pablo Schelcher of Spain edged out Vishnu Puyalraj of India 6-2, 6-2 to sail to the quarters while Abdullah Al Barwani of Oman subdued Kristian Kubik of Czech Republic 7-5,4-6,6-0 to match on.

In the girls category, Kenyan duo of Sneha Kotecha and Angella Okutoyi booked spots in the quarters by eliminating Caitlyn Portella of Australia and Sharannya Gaware of India in sets of 6-1, 6-1 and 6-3, 3-6,6-3 respectively.

Another Kenyan representative Faith Omurunga bowed out of the tournament after suffering a 3-6, 2-6 loss at the hands of Charlotte Weinstein of Great Britain. Celestine Avomo of Gabon also made it to the quarters after running over Julie Bousseau of France 6-2,5-7,6-4 while Aisha Niyonkuru of Brundi saw off Sarra Ata of Tunisia.

Bhakti Parwani of India recovered from a set down to beat Aleksandra Zlatarova of Bulgaria 1-6,6-3,6-3 hence booking a spot in the quarters. Her Indian counterpart Vineetha Mummadi also won her match against Finarita Andriamadison of Madagascar in sets of 6-3,6-2.