Tennis star Angella Okutoyi delivered a commanding performance at the ITF World Tour W35 Nairobi, emerging victorious in the singles final on Sunday, January 11, to cap a remarkable week in her home country.
Okutoyi beat Italy’s Martina Colmegna, the fourth seed, in straight sets 6-3, 7-6(3) to claim the second-leg singles title at the Parklands Sports Club.
The victory marked her second consecutive singles title in Nairobi this month and completed a four-title sweep across back-to-back ITF W35 events.
Playing in front of a strong local crowd, the 21-year-old set the tone early, using aggressive baseline play to take the first set 6-3.
In the second, the Italian pushed Okutoyi hard, but the Kenyan steadied herself at 5-5, forcing a tiebreak that she then won to seal the match.
“My first time winning back-to-back means a lot to me,” Okutoyi said after the match, reflecting on her turnaround after a challenging previous season.
“I want to congratulate my opponent — playing you has been challenging, and I wish you the best.”
She also dedicated the title to her late aunt, expressing gratitude for the strength she drew from her memory.
This latest win adds to Okutoyi’s already impressive haul in Nairobi, following earlier doubles triumphs in both the first and second legs of the W35 series.
With four ITF titles in one week, she underscored her dominant form and rising stature on the international circuit.
The Sports Cabinet Secretary, Salim Mvurya, hailed Okutoyi’s success on social media, calling it “a powerful testament to your resilience, discipline and unwavering determination.”
He added that her achievement — including the singles title against Colmegna — has inspired the tennis community and young athletes in Kenya.
In remarks after her title, Okutoyi said the week’s successes — both in singles and doubles — were a demonstration of her growth and consistency.
“It feels nice to have won here. I am grateful to have completed a quartet of victories — two in singles and another two in doubles. I give glory to God,” she told local media.
Angella Okutoyi’s victory at the ITF World Tour W35 event in Nairobi also came with tangible rewards on the professional circuit.
By clinching the singles title, the 21-year-old earned USD 4,860 (Sh 626,000) in prize money and collected 35 WTA ranking points, adding significantly to the gains from her back-to-back titles in Nairobi.
The points haul has propelled her up the world rankings, marking one of the biggest climbs of her career.
Following the Nairobi triumph, Okutoyi has risen to around 476 in the WTA rankings, a career-high position that strengthens her chances of entry into higher-level tournaments.
Okutoyi has previously stated that her long-term goal is to break into the top 100 globally.
