Governor’s Cup Lagos Tennis: Nigeria’s Emmanuel Upsets America’s Reed In First Round

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.

Men singles final 2014
photo credit; governorscuplagostennis.com

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.

Oliseh: Nigeria Football’s Stock Will Rise Again

Super Eagles’ Head Coach, Sunday Oliseh, has expressed firm belief that the stock of Nigeria football will assume upward mobility again if Nigerian businesses commit to supporting the game.

Oliseh spoke in Lagos on Monday, at a colourful closing–gong ceremony on the floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

With NFF President Amaju Pinnick and CEO of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, Mr. Oscar Onyema on either side, Oliseh said it would not be too difficult to recreate a Golden Generation for Nigeria football if Corporate Nigeria rises to the support of the Nigeria Football Federation in the latter’s determination and real efforts to innovate robustly and take the Nigeria game to a new high.

“The NFF has promised to give me total support in my developmental programs that are aimed at returning us to the glory days. I cannot achieve much without their support. But I am also aware that they cannot support me the way they would want to without adequate support and funding from Corporate Nigeria.

“We are starting from a near-zero point. There is nothing much on ground to develop on. But I have confidence that if we all work together, and we have patience, and we have support, we will get there.”

NFF President Pinnick called the visit, including the closing gong by Oliseh, a significant symbolic event that is meant to open the door for a more substantial project – the desire of the NFF to see Nigeria’s top clubs quoted on the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

“We consider this opportunity a priceless privilege. The NSE is a place for high integrity, transparency and accountability, and these are the values we want to drive in Nigeria football.

“We are determined to reposition Nigeria football and work with relevant stakeholders to build a sustainable football culture. We want to win matches but building the culture is more important.”

The NFF boss explained that the administration’s capacity building programs is intended to update all workers in football on modern dynamics of the game.

“The NSE has a pivotal role to play to help us achieve our dream of having Nigerian clubs quoted on the Stock Exchange. The way to go now is private sector. We want the support of Corporate Nigeria for our programs so that we can reduce the burden on Government.”

NSE CEO Oscar Onyema expressed belief that Oliseh will shine brilliantly in his second calling (as Head Coach) as he did in his first calling (as a player).

“All of us here, NSE Board Members, Management and myself, believe that you will be a success. You have what it takes and you look like someone who is ready to conquer everything on his route to the top.

Sunday Oliseh photo credit sundayoliseh.tv

“Yes, I believe that it is time that Nigerian Clubs come to the market. Clubs like Manchester United (England), Juventus and AC Milan (Italy) are quoted on the Stock Exchange. Nigeria is the biggest black nation in the world and the excitement that football generates in our land is incredible.”

Onyema had the support of NSE Board Members and Management, including Mohammed Mohammed, Ade Bajomo, Bola Adeeko and Olumide Orojimi, while Pinnick was accompanied by NFF Vice Presidents Seyi Akinwunmi and Shehu Dikko, Board members Ibrahim Gusau and Sunday Dele-Ajayi, as well as NFF Head of Communications Ademola Olajire, LMC’s Head of Special Projects Harry Iwuala and Oliseh’s solicitor, Churchill Oliseh.

CBN Tennis: Melissa Through To Final As Babalola, Enosoregbe Bow Out

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.

37th Central bank of Nigeria Open Senior Tennis Championship

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.

CBN Tennis: Melissa Powers On, As Top Seeds Qualify

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.

37th Central Bank of Nigeria Tennis Championship

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.

CBN Open: Melissa, Mcleod, Agugbom Cruise On

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.

37th Central bank of Nigeria Open Senior Tennis Championship

“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.

37th Central bank of Nigeria Open Senior Tennis Championship

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.