Okutoyi battles into W35 final with gritty comeback in Nairobi

Okutoyi was forced onto the back foot early as Pawlikowska dictated play in the opening set, breaking serve consistently to take it 6–2. The Kenyan, however, responded with authority in the second set, raising her intensity and tightening her baseline game to race through the set 6–0 and decisively swing the momentum in her favour.

The deciding third set developed into a high-quality, hard-fought contest, with both players trading breaks and refusing to yield ground. In the crucial closing stages, Okutoyi’s composure and shot selection proved decisive as she edged the set 7–5, sealing a 2–1 victory and sparking loud celebrations from the home crowd.

Speaking after the match, Okutoyi credited a brief mental reset for helping her turn the encounter around.

“Once I went to the bathroom and cooled down, that really helped me,” she said. “After taking the break, I came out strong.”

She also acknowledged the level of competition throughout the week and the role played by local support.

“All the players I have faced here are tough. I don’t know much about my opponent in the final, but I’m expecting a good match. My supporters really helped me throughout today, and I hope they can come again tomorrow.”

The W35 tournament, part of the ITF Women’s World Tennis Tour, offers valuable ranking points and prize money, making it a key stop for players seeking to climb the professional ladder. Hosting the event in Nairobi has provided Okutoyi with a rare opportunity to compete for a major title on home soil against international opposition.

Currently ranked 607th on the ITF standings, Okutoyi is widely regarded as one of Kenya’s brightest tennis prospects. She made history in 2022 by becoming the first Kenyan woman to win a junior Grand Slam title, lifting the girls’ doubles trophy at Wimbledon, and has since transitioned steadily into the professional ranks.

Her long-term ambition is qualification for her first Olympic Games, with Los Angeles 2028 firmly in her sights, and performances like this week’s underline her steady progress on the global circuit.

Later on Saturday evening, Okutoyi is set to partner Pawlikowska in the doubles final, where the pair will face France’s Alessandro Reguer and China’s Yufei Ren.