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The African Games Champion faces setback in bid to make maiden Paris 2024 Olympics but still has a chance to qualify with the W75 Zephyrhills Women's singles tournament on the horizon.
Kenyan tennis sensation Angella Okutoyi faced a fresh setback in her quest to qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games after being eliminated from the W35 Boca Raton tournament in Florida.
The disappointment came on Friday as the 20-year-old athlete succumbed to American Allie Kiick in the quarterfinals, losing in straight sets 6-1, 6-0.
Hopes were high for Okutoyi to make a significant impact in the tournament following her impressive performance in the earlier rounds. However, her journey came to an end, despite securing two victories in the preceding days.
In her opening match on Wednesday, the 2023 Kenya Open champion defeated 17-year-old American An Claire with a score of 6-4, 6-3 in the Round of 32. She continued her winning streak by triumphing over Lilian Poling in the last 16, achieving an identical score-line of 6-4, 6-3.
Despite her commendable efforts, Okutoyi's exit from the W35 Boca Raton tournament poses a significant challenge to her Olympic aspirations. With the looming deadline of June 10th to secure a spot among the top 400 players on the WTA standings, her current ranking of 549th in the world leaves her in a precarious position.
To keep her Olympic dreams alive, Okutoyi is expected to continue her pursuit at the upcoming W75 Zephyrhills Women's singles tournament in Florida. The tournament is scheduled to take place from May 6th to May 12th, providing another opportunity for Okutoyi to improve her ranking and bolster her chances of Olympic qualification.
Okutoyi's journey in the W35 Boca Raton tournament may have ended prematurely, but her determination and skill continue to shine through.
With the upcoming W75 Zephyrhills Women's singles tournament on the horizon, she remains focused on her goal of qualifying for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
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