Defending Champions Out As CBN Open Ends ’Morrow

Defending champions in both the Men and Women’s Singles will not be part of the finals of this year’s edition, as both were  bundled out of the ongoing 33rd Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Open Tennis Championship holding at the National Stadium, Surulere Lagos, southwest Nigeria.

Emmanuel Sunday, who won the men’s event last year was upset in a thrilling three sets match by 7th seed, Nonso Madueke, 6-2,  3-6,7-5 to advance to the semi-final. Fatima Abinu, who also won the 2010 edition of the Women’s Singles was stopped by high flying 4th seed, Abiola Akewula in straight sets of 6-3, 7-6.

With these defeats, there are strong indications that the ambition of both Emmanuel and Abinu to feature at this year’s All Africa Games in Maputo, Mozambique may have been dashed.

The Nigeria Tennis Federation, NTF, plans to select the best four players from the men and women’s events for the tennis events of the All Africa Games.

Meanwhile, unseeded Onyeka Mbanu continues his impressive run, as he recorded another upset, defeating Number 5 seed, Candy Idoko, to book a place in the semi final of the tourney yesterday.  Idoko bowed to the superior power of the junior player, Mbanu in straight sets of 6-4,6-3 in the quarter final match.

Mbanu told P.M. Sports that he was tense in the early part of the match because he was playing with an experienced player like Idoko, ”

Mbanu, who had earlier in the 3rd round bundled out top seed, Shehu Lawal, looked good for the final as he dazzled tennis lovers with his powerful serves in the match.

The 17-year-old Mbanu  meets 2009 winner, Number 4 seed, Abdulmumini Babalola in the semi final clash today. Babalola, a regular Team Nigeria player in the Davis Cup, wasted no time beating 6th seed, Clifford Enosoregbe in another straight set of 6-2,6-1. Nonso Madueke will battle Henry Atseye in today’s other semi final.

—Bamidele  Olowosagba