Foreigners dominate ITF East Africa Junior tournament

Players from Europe reigned supreme during the International Tennis Federation (ITF) East Africa Junior tournament that came to a close on Saturday in Nairobi.

In the boy's singles final, Lorenzo Rottoli from Italy overcame Britain's George Loffhagen 6-2, 7-6, 6-1 to win the title.

Rottoli said the match provided important moments for him, adding that he was happy with the win particularly because it was his first time to play in Africa.

"I was under much pressure, especially that it was my first time to reach the finals at an ITF tournament and I am glad that I won the boy's title," Rottoli told Xinhua.

"It was a tough match, I didn't make many mistakes and my opponent also played well," said Rottoli, who hails from Milan.

In the girl's finals, Valeriya Rozenkova form Ukraine beat Ella Acomo from Gabon 6-1, 5-7, 6-1 in a tough encounter that stretched for over two hours.

After it all looked like Acomo would win the match after discovering her opponent was not able to return a slice stroke, the Ukrainian amended her mistake and made superb returns that saw her carry the day.

"It was a tough match that went to three sets. Acomo is a very formidable opponent and it took me more than sheer luck to win the contest," Rozenkova said after the duel.

Acomo acknowledged that her rival was a tough opponent and attributed Rozenkova' s win to experience she may have gathered in the European circuit.

The Gabonese' s runners-up position is the furthest a player from Africa reached in both the boy's and girl's categories.

Over 90 players from across the globe took part in the event where they were looking for points in order to improve their ITF rankings. Endit