1st June, 2011
The 33rd Central Bank of Nigeria Tennis Open Championship witnessed major upsets yesterday in both the Men and Women’s Singles at the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, southwest Nigeria.
In the male event, Number 8 seed, Taiwo Owolabi was stopped from going to the second round by unseeded junior player, Moses Michael in two straight sets of 6-4,7-5.
Michael looked ruthless right from the start of the match with his baseline strokes and ground strokes, which overwhelmed Owolabi. Michael won the first set 6-4 within 40 minutes.
The second set was a different contest as Owolabi came out smoking, winning the first three games, breaking Michael twice before the junior player came back to tie the game three all.
The match went on with both players changing serves twice before Michael won the deciding last two games to win the second set 7-5.
In the Women’s Singles, the major casualty was the second seed, Aanu Aiyegbusi, who was defeated 6-3, 6-2 by unseeded Ronke Akingbade. Akingbade was explosive as she dispatched Aiyegbusi with her breathtaking ground strokes and occasional lob over the helpless Aiyegbusi.
In other results, Candy Idoko beat Kingsley Enosoregbe in two straight sets of 6-3, 6-3. Nonso Madueke defeated Austin Nwokedi 6-3, 3-6, 5-0.
—Bamidele Olowosagba