Nigerian players for the umpteenth time failed to rise to the occasion as Joseph Imeh succumbed 7-5, 1-0 ret to Swede Simon Yitbarek, while Sylvester Emmanuel was edged 6-1, 7-6 (5) by Jaimee Floyd Angele of France as the first round of matches in the GSL Open Nigeria Futures 3 were concluded on Wednesday at […]
via GSL Open: Imeh, Sylvester Fails First Round Hurdles — finixsportsblog
Joseph Imeh, Wednesday, secured a second round spot at the Dayak Championships Nigeria Futures 2 with a commanding 6-2, 6-2 win over compatriot Emmanuel Audu. The former Nigeria number one player was expected to triumph against his lesser-rated opponent and he proved the form book right as he wrapped up the match in less than […]
Joseph Imeh and Sarah Adegoke have emerged Men and Women singles champions of the 3rd Rainoil/Ikoyi Club 1938 Masters Tennis Championship. Imeh defeated Emmanuel Idoko 6-3, 6-4 while Adegoke retain the women’s title with a 6-1, 5-0 (rtd) scoreline over Ronke Akingbade. The winners each pocketed N250,000 while the finalists got N200, 000. The four […]
via Imeh, Adegoke Win Rainoil/Ikoyi Club Masters Tennis — newfanzoneblog
Nigerian players taking part in the 15th Governor’s Cup Lagos Tennis Championship began their quest for honours with victories in the first round of the competition with Sylvester Emmanuel making the headlines following his 7-6(3), 6-3 win over American Anderson Reed at the Lord Rummen Centre Court of the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Onikan.
Emmanuel, a wild card entrant, clinched the men’s singles title at the Dala Hard Court Championship two weeks ago and he seems to have saved his best for the Governor’s Cup as he could only watch his Team Kalotari managed a third place finish at the NCC Team Tennis Final on Saturday.
An elated Emmanuel said after the match that he was not surprised with the victory over Reed who is ranked 1488 in the world, adding that hardwork and experience he gained while traveling around the world to play in different circuits won the match for him.
“I feel great winning this match. I went into the match with a great confidence that I would win. This is because I played more ATP tournaments than Reed. He is a good player but I’m better than him,” said Emmanuel, who in the past few months had played in ATP ranked competitions in the USA, Togo and Benin Republic.
The Nigerian star, however, said that this year’s Governor’s Cup will be different for the local players as they are battle ready to give their foreign counterparts a good run for their money.
Other Nigerians who made a headway in the first round of the men’s singles are Mohammed Mohammed, who defeated Ghana’s Bernard Dugbah 4-6, 5-3, 5-3, while Albert Bikom also edged Swiss Jessy Kalambay 5-7, 6-4, 7-5, all in the men’s singles.
Some Nigerian ladies won their respective matches of the first round, moving on to the second round. Ronke Akingbade beat compatriot Christie Nwankwo 4-6, 6-2, 6-1, while Blessing Samuel lost to Osariemen Airhumwunde 6-4, 6-2.
The duo of Mohammed Mohammed and Joseph Imeh beat the pair of Alexei Filenkov of Russia and Aldin Setkic of Bosnia to progress to the second round.
It was not a smooth sailing for Nigeria as Aminat Quadri lost 6-0, 6-0 to Frenchwoman Tessah Andrianoafitrimo while Kyra Shroff of India also crushed Nigeria’s Rita Obasigie 6-0, 6-0 in the women’s singles.
In other results, Tadeja Majeric of Slovakia beat Eden D’Oliveira of USA 60-3, 6-1. Ester Masuri of Israel defeated Olena Kyrpot of Ukraine 6-0, 6-3. Germany’s Andiyo Inwang, who was given a wildcard was beaten by Mara Schmidt of USA in straight set of 6-1, 6-3.
Zimbabwe’s Valeria Bhumu beat Usina Sumail of India 6-1, 6-2, while Alexandria Riley of the USA defeated Nina Kolar of Slovakia 5-3, 6-0 all in the women’s singles.
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.
Russian-born Melissa Ifidzhen continued her impressive outing at the 37th Central Bank of Nigeria Tennis Championship in Lagos by beating Beauty Mcleod to book her place in the women’s singles final where she will meet defending champions and top seed Christy Agugbom.
Ifidzhen, a debutante and a wild card beneficiary produced a scintillating performance and now has Agugbom, who was fortunate to qualify at the expense of Aanu Aiyegbusi Ayegbusi had played relatively tougher opponents in the women’s singles won the first set was forced to retire after an injury in the second set.
Melissa, who is scheduled to head to her hometown in Edo before jetting out to her base in Moscow on Wednesday, is hoping to go a step better than Elizabeth Garos-Pam who reached the women’s final last year where incidentally she lost to Agugbom.
In the men’s singles, defending champion, Abdulmimuni Babalola crashed to Moses Michael to set up a final match with Thomas Otu who defeated top seed, Clifford Enosoregbe.
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The final which comes up today at the National Stadium Surulere will be graced by top CBN officials as well as Nigeria Tennis Federation members headed by Engr. Sani Ndanusa.
The champions in the men and women singles will get N700, 000 while the finalists will pocket N500, 000.
Melissa Ifidzhen clinched a quarterfinal place in the women’s singles of the 37th Central Bank of Nigeria Tennis Championship holding in Lagos after a 6-0, 4-6, 6-0 win over Sarah Adegoke to send shivers down the spines of her rivals at the tournament which is ending on Saturday.
The Russian-Nigerian will now face Patience Onebhamoin for a place in the last four where she could meet either Blessing Anuna or Beauty Mcleod, who both secured quarterfinal spots with 6-1, 6-1 and 6-2, 6-0 wins over Pauline Ebijimi and beauty Ogenekevwe respectively.
Defending champion and women’s top seed, Christy Agugbom ended the dream of Angel Mcleod with a 6-1, 6-4 win to set up a mouth-watering tie with 2013 queen Ronke Akingbade, a 6-1, 6-4 victor over Aminat Quadri.
Blessing Samuel and Aanu Aiyegbusi will clash in the last quarterfinal after wins against Afolarin Akosile and Kelechi Njoku.
In the men’s singles, defending champion, Abdulmumuni Babalola defeated Michael Eludoyin 6-2, 6-1 to book a third round tie with Monday Igbinovia, who out stroked Chukwuma Abba 7-5, 6-2.
Governor’s Cup Lagos tennis reigning champion, Moses Michael also continued with his impressive form as he brushed aside Destiny Ford Da-Silva 6-4, 6-2.
Among other players that secured victories yesterday are top seed, Clifford Enosoregbe, Lawal Shehu, Joseph Imeh, Iekchukwu Iloputa, Henry Atseye, John Otu, Thomas Otu, Emmanuel Sunday, Nonso Madueke and Sunday Maku.
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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