19th November, 2014
Damilare Okunola
As the first round of the ongoing Governor’s Cup Lagos Tennis Invitational Championship came to an end, some top seeds at the tournament were dumped out by less-fancied Nigerian stars.
Sani Adamu, who used to be, Nigeria’s highest-placed player on the ATP upset number two seed, Dauda Ndiaye from Senegal, 6-3, 6-2 in a match where Ndiaye showed little class and defiance.
Adamu, who recently returned to the country from China, was more ruthless as he quickly broke the Senegalese to wrap up the first set in record time.
The Abuja-based tennis star told P.M. News Sport after the encounter that, “we all know Dauda (Ndiaye) because he has been on the same circuit with us for quite some time now.
“I knew I was going to defeat him before we played because I was sure of my game. I am as fit as a fiddle now and I am ready to take on every player.
“The aim is to win the tournament but I cannot get ahead of myself just yet. Let’s just see how it goes first.”
Another top seed, John Otu, the eight seeded player at the tournament lost to rookie, Tsawko Abubakar, 6-3, 2-6, 7-5 in a fierce match inside the Court 2 Arena of the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Onikan, Lagos.
In other results, number one seed, Takanyi Garanganga from Zimbabwe beat Bala Musa, 6-4, 6-4. Abdulmumuni Babalola, another top seed, whipped newcomer. Mohammed Mohammed, 6-3, 6-2, while Monday Igbinovia defeated Ghana’s George Darko 7-6(5), 6-4 in a close match.
Paul Christian beat Etim Ekanem, 6-2, 7-5, while Moses Michael beat youngster Joseph Imeh, 7-5, 6-4 in another exciting encounter decided today.
In the Women’s Singles, veteran, Omotayo Ibrahim, walloped Ngozi Dirisu, 6-1, 6-4, just as Osas Airhunwunde whipped Blessing Anuna 6-1, 6-4.
In the doubles matches decided yesterday, Garanganga partnered Duncan Mugabe of Uganda to defeat youngsters Joseph Imeh and Emmanuel Idoko 6-4, 6-4. Kehinde Alade and John Otu lost by the same score to Moses Michael and Thomas Otu.
Abdulmumuni Babalola partnered Lawal Shehu to humble Tswako Abubakar and Emmanuel Sunday, 6-0, 6-2. Sani Adamu and his partner, Henry Atseye beat Ikechukwu Iloputa and Jonathan Okwudili, 6-3, 6-4, in another close contest.
In the Women’s Doubles, youngster, Angel McCleod partnered Afolarin Akosile to win 2-6, 6-4, 10-6, against a vastly experienced pair of Bukola Olowu and Dirisu Ngozi.
Blessing Anuna also played with Loveth Donatus to whip Comfort Spencer and Ezinne Maduike.
The second round of matches will commence on Wednesday as the tournament nears its closing stages.