17th October, 2011
After a weekend of qualifying matches, Governor’s Cup Lagos Tennis Championship enters its crucial stage with the Main Draws starting today at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Onikan.
Apart from the seven local players given wild cards by the ITF, more Nigerian players made their way into the Main Draws chart after passing through the rigours of the qualifying matches on Saturday and Sunday.
Clifford Enosoregbe, Onyeka Mbanu, Shehu Lawal and Candy Idoko were given wild cards to play in the Men’s Singles, while Fatima Abinu, Blessing Samuel, Sarah Adegoke and Abiola Akewula are to play in the women’s category.
In the qualifying matches decided at the weekend in the competition sponsored by Etisalat and FCMB, Destiny Da Silva, beat Michika Ozeki from Japan 2-6,7-5,6-1, Bala Habu Musa beat Marc Houngbo of Benin 6-4, 6-4, Abdulmumini Babalola defeated Henry Atseye in 6-2,6-4 game in the Men’s Singles. In the women’s game, Rose Ojonimi beat Indian Tanisha Rohira 6-3, 6-3.
—Olusegun Abidoye