Defending champion Moses Michael recovered from a sloppy start by beating Sunday Emmaneul 2-6, 7-6, 6-3 to reach the quarterfinals of the 2nd Air Vice Marshal Atawodi Invitational Mini Tennis Tournament holding at the Tennis Section of the IBB Golf and Country Club, Abuja.
The Nigeria Tennis Federation-sanctioned tournament for the leading 16 male players serves as tune up for the 2015 Dala Hard Court Championship billed for next week in Kano.
The title holder will be joined in the last-eight by last year’s runner up, Thomas Otu who defeated Christian Paul 6-4, 6-4. It was a big reprieve for Otu, who had lost his last three matches against Paul.
Otu’s older sibling John also made the quarterfinal list following a 6-7, 7-6, 6-2 win over Ikechukwu Iloputa while Henry Atseye and Joseph Imeh also advanced with 6-3, 6-2 and 6-2, 6-3 triumphs against Monday Igbinovia and Onyekachi Mbanu.
Old war horse Sunday Maku proved too hot for Mohammed Mohammed with a 6-1 6-3 win just as Christopher Edward progressed at the expense of Emmanuel Idoko 7-6, 6-1.
The match of the day saw Shehu Lawal edge Sani Adamu 7-6, 6-4 in a battle of the old guard which was characterized by booming serves.
Draws for the quarterfinals were made today with Michael facing Lawal and Thomas Otu to confront Maku. Christopher will battle John Otu while Imeh and Atseye will tango for a place in the semifinal.
Nigeria’s top two players Clifford Enosoregbe and Abdulmumuni Babalola are missing the tournament due to injuries sustained at last weekend’s NCC League matches.
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