Emmanuel upsets Moses to claim Men’s title… As Agugbom revenges loss to Adegoke
Sylvester Emmanuel emerged Men’s Singles winner of the 2015 Dala Hard Court Tennis Championship in Kano on Saturday following a hard-fought 6-4, 6-7(4), 6-3 win over Moses Michael.
Moses went into the clash as the favourite and he showed why the odds favoured him claiming the opening set 6-4 after breaking his opponent in the seventh game but Emmanuel did not drop his head as he matched Moses, the reigning Governor’s Cup Lagos Tennis Championship title-holder, in all aspects of the game before he edged his opponent in a tie break for the second set.
The match proved to be the longest match in this year’s competition and after over three hours of exhilarating confrontation Sylvester sealed off the match in the rubber breaking Moses, who showed signs of exhaustion, twice to win the N500,000 prize with Moses pocketing N250,000.
Christie Agugbom also savoured the joy of winning the women’s crown for the first time after she defeated Sarah Adegoke in the Women’s singles 6-3, 3-6, 6-2.
It was a sweet revenge for Agugbom, who was beaten in straight sets by Adegoke in the previous final, as she went home with a trophy and also pocketed N300, 000 while Adegoke got N500, 000.
Albert Bikom and Sunday Maku combined to beat Christian Paul and Moses Micheal 4-6,7-6(4), 10-6 to win the Men’s Doubles.
Kano Sate Governor, Abdullahi Gundoje pledged government’s continuous support for sports.
Gundoje, who was represented by former NFF President, Alhaji Ibrahim Galadima, pointed that sports has served as a tool to drive peace and employment opportunities for youths in the country.
NTF President, Engr Sani Ndanusa on his part commended the organisers for sustaining the tournament which he pointed has aided the development of Nigerian players.
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