SA’s Evans Maripa wins Nairobi Open wheelchair tennis event

South African top-ranked wheelchair tennis player Evans Maripa completed a Nairobi Open double on Wednesday afternoon, as he added the doubles title alongside rising star Alwande Sikhosana to the singles victory he had claimed just hours earlier.

Maripa recorded his second title in the International Tennis Federation (ITF) Futures event when the former world number 11 partnered Sikhosana to a 6-4 6-2 win over countryman Leon Els and his Brazilian partner Rafael Medeiros in Nairobi.

Just two hours earlier Maripa claimed the men’s singles title with a clean sweep 6-0 6-0 victory over Said Himam of Morocco.

“I’m incredibly proud to win two titles here in Nairobi,” said Maripa.

“The whole week I’ve been trying to put my game on the court and hope it matches up, and today it did, so I’m really pleased.

“I’m really pleased with my performance throughout the week and look forward to the World Team Cup qualifying for Africa event,” added Maripa.

Up next for the 29-year-old Maripa is the World Team Cup Africa Qualifying which starting on Friday in Nairobi.

Joining Maripa in the regional qualification event will be Sikhosana and Els who will battle it out for a spot in the 2020 World Team Cup, to be held in May at the Vilamoura Tennis Academy in Portugal.

In partnership with ANA and Sports Leo