Kenya Open win nets Mugabe sh3.8m

Duncan Mugabe returned home with three titles and a handy sh3.8m after winning the Kenya Tennis Open that concluded Sunday in Nairobi.

Mugabes win at the Kenya Open was the second of his budding career. Photo by Norman Katende

Mugabe, who had defeated defending champion, Zambia Edgar Kazembe 6-3, 6-2 in 66 minutes in a one sided semi-final on Friday, started on a false note against perennial rival Jean Claude Gasingwa in the final.

He lost the first set 7-6but went on to win the next two sets 6-3, 6-2 and claim his third Kenya Open title in four years. He won the 2010 and 2011 titles.

Mugabe had earlier teamed up with compatriot David Oringa to win the men’s doubles final after beating the duo of Gasingwa and Kazembe 6-3, 3-6, 7-6.

After winning the first set 6-3 without breaking a sweat, the pair found themselves on the back foot, losing the second set 3-6 before rallying back to win the tightly contested third set 7-6. The men’s double win came with a sh600, 000 cash prize.


He completed his clean sweep by combining with Kenyan Mutuku Zua to beat Rwandan Diedonne Habiyambere and ladies singles champion Caroline Odour 2-1 to take the mixed doubles title which came with a cash prize of sh450,000.

“Am happy that I’ve won, this is my biggest title this year after my comeback and I just want to thank all Kenyans who supported me this past week,’ said Mugabe after the wins.

Prior to the Kenya Open, Mugabe had been beaten in the semi-final of the Kinshasha Open.

By Norman Katende, The New Vision

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