Gisele Umumararungu became the first Rwandan to be knocked out of the third leg of the International Tennis Federation (ITF) East Africa Junior Circuit in Nairobi, Kenya.

Umumararungu, 16, lost to Egypt’s Nadia Fernandez 3-6 2-6.
After her exit, Rwanda will now rely on the trio of Sidawusi Kiza, Mathew Uwizeyimana and Cekina Niyonshuti to try and recuperate after a series of poor performances in the first two legs held in Bujumbura and Kampala.

Meanwhile, Kenyans embraced mixed results in the East Africa Junior Under-18 Championship.

Local top junior, Gilbert Kibet got a scare in the second set but ultimately carried the day to beat Burudian Amadi Kagoma 6-3, 4-6, 6-3.

Patel braved a second set assault to toss out Egyptian Beshir Nouredine 6-3, 2-6, 6-1 while Kisoso spanked Sylvester Delpesh from Seychelles 6-2, 6-3.

Rwanda’s Uwizeyimana was also gearing up for a clash against Dennis Ochieng (Kenya).

In the girls’ category, Dawda braced for anxious second round duel where she was set to meet top seed Menna El Nagdy from Egypt while Zachariah was up against another sixth seed Yasmin Ebada from Egypt.

Ends