The Nigeria Tennis Federation, NTF, has commended the Local Organising Committee, LOC, of the Governor’s Cup Lagos Tennis Championship for increasing the total prize money of the competition starting from the 16th edition which holds from 8-22 October. The LOC Chairman, Chief Pius Akinyelure announced at a world press conference to herald this year’s tournament […]
via NTF Commends LOC For Increasing Lagos Governor’s Cup Prize Money — newfanzoneblog
After what seems to be a jolly ride in the first round, Nigerian players are in for a real battle going in to the next round of the Governor’s Cup Lagos Tennis Championship as the first leg (Futures 3) of the tournament enters second round Wednesday at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Onikan.
According to the order of play for the second round matches, Sylvester Emmanuel, who upset an America’s Anderson Reed on Monday, will confront number two seed, Pere Riba of Spain.
Also, Albert Bikom will face tough test against number one seed, Aldin Setkic of Bosnia in another match just as Thomas Otu will slug it out with Van Der Duim of The Netherlands, the number six seed. Christian Paul will keep a date with sixth-seeded Duncan Mugabe of Uganda, who was a finalist last year.
In the Women’s Singles, Nigeria’s Osariemen Airhunmwunde will face Andrianjafitrimo Tessah of France, the number eight seed as Ronke Akingbade will clash with number sixth seed, Uirkke Eikeri from Norway.
Other matches of the second round will see South African Llyod Harris taking on David Pel of The Netherlands in the men’s singles, while Murta Lazareva of Russia will battle Thombere Prarthana Thombre of India in the women’s singles.
Conny Perrin of Switzerland will slug it out against Mara Schmidt of the USA. Tadeja Majeric of Slovaika will play against Ester Masuri of Israel. Alexandra Riley of America will have a showdown with Strakhova of Ukraine. Top seed Sherazad Reix of France will play against Valeria Bhunu of Zimbabwe.
Meanwhile, Clifford Enosoregbe of Nigeria could not make it to the second round Tuesday when he was defeated by Pere Riba of Spain in straight sets of 6-1, 6-0. Another Nigerian, Christopher Edward was beaten by Antal Van Der Duim of The Netherlands in straight of 6-3,6-2 while Mohammed Mohammed also bowed out to another Dutchman David Pel 6-1, 6-2.
Also, Nigeria’s Joseph Imeh retired in the first set of his match against France’s Fabien Reboul, while Nigerian born female player, Mellisa Ishuan Ifidzen, who represented Russia in the Governor’s Cup, was defeated by Thombere Prarthana Thombre of India in 6-2, 6-1 game in the Women’s Singles.
The International Tennis Federation (ITF),on Monday approved the Futures 3 and Futures 4 Governor’s Cup Lagos Tennis Championship which will hold from December 5th -19th at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Onikan Lagos.
The ITF also said it is expecting players from all parts of the world to turn up for the $80,000 prize-money event which ranks among the biggest in Africa. This year’s edition will be the 15th of the tournament.
The Ebola scourge in Nigeria last year forced the ITF not to sanction the tournament and instead an abridged version was held which was restricted to players from Africa. Due to the absence of players from across the globe, the 2014 edition was also a non-point-earning event.
But ITF, in a letter to the Nigeria Tennis Federation, said it has returned to its earlier status as a point-earning tournament which would be an attraction to players from all parts of the world.
Nigeria’s Michael Moses won the men’s singles while Zarah Razafinmahatratra of Madagascar claimed the women’s top prize.
India’s Sania Mirza, the top-ranked WTA doubles player and Croatia’s Ivan Dodic, the world no 1 ITF junior ranked player, among others, are some of the players that have used the Governor’s Cup as a springboard for their successful careers in recent years.
Tournament Coordinator, Prince Wale Oladunjoye said the tournament will continue to grow bigger.
“This is good news, it goes to show that the ITF has got confidence in the Nigeria Tennis Federation as well as the organizers because we have been kept on the edge as we expected that they would have approved the tournament some few months ago because we normally hold it in October,” he said.
The NTF on its part said it will continue to work with the Main Organizing Committee to deliver a highly successful championship.
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