Russian-Nigerian Melissa Ifidzhen made a winning debut playing in Nigeria as she eased past Henrietta Ogude 6-1, 6-1 to set up a second round clash with number two seed Sarah Adegoke as the 37th Central bank of Nigeria Open Senior Tennis Championship hots-up at the National Stadium, Lagos.
The 16-year-old made light work of her opponent hitting series of winners but admits she had to raise her game if she will have to go all the way.
“I’m happy I won because historically this is my first match in Nigeria. I hope to play better in my next game,” she said.
Standing between the former Russian U-12 champion and a place in the third round is Adegoke who brushed aside Ebere Fortune 6-1, 6-2. Adegoke, incidentally, is Melissa’s doubles partner and the pair was scheduled to complete their doubles match a tie-break decider against Christy Agugbom and Blessing Samuel on Tuesday evening.
Joining Ifidzhen and Adegoke in the second round is Aminat Quadri, who recovered from a set down to beat Christie Mbadiwe 2-6, 6-3, 6-3 while Afolarin Akosile also matches on following a 7-5, 6-2 winner over Ngozi Dirisu.
Other players that progressed to the second round of the women’s singles are Kelechi Njoku, Aanu Aiyegbusi, Omotayo Osewa and Agugbom who will meet Angel Mcleod, a fast-rising teenager in the second round.
In the men’s singles, Albert Bikom defeated Jonathan Okwudili 6-2, 7-5 to move to the second round just as Ikechukwu Iloputa made a strong finish to beat Emmanuel Paul after losing the first set. Iloputa won 5-7, 6-4, 6-4.
Emmanuel Sunday, Joseph Imeh and Mohammed Mohammed also advance after recoding wins on Tuesday.
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