19th October, 2010
Two Nigerian top players began their campaign in the Governor’s Cup Lagos Tennis Championship by upsetting ranked foreign players in the first round of the Main Draws yesterday.
Abdulmumini Babalola and Fatimah Abinu put up spectacular performances, sending a warning signal that the local players will give the foreign players a run for their money in the Etisalat/FCMB sponsored tennis tournament holding at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Onikan.
Unranked Babalola surprised Ivorian star, Valentine Sanon, who is ranked number 606 in the world in straight sets of 6-4, 6-2, while Abinu was too hot for Alexandra Riley of the US who is ranked number 932. The match ended 6-1,6-4 in favour of the Nigerian lady. Also, Nigerian Candy Idoko defeated South African Steffen Solomon, who is ranked number 1418 in straight sets of 6-1, 6-4.
The players have successfully moved to the second round of the tourney to be played tomorrow.
Other Nigerian players who stroked on in the tourney are Samuel Omoile who beat compatriot Kingsley Enosorogbe 6-1, 3-6, 7-6 (5). Clifford Enosorogbe defeated Henry Atseye 6-4, 7-5.
However, Shehu Lawal was not luck in his match against South African Ruan Roelofse as he fell in straight sets of 1-6, 3-6. Conny Perrin of Sweden also outstroked Sabath Ibrahim of Nigeria 6-1, 6-0.
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