18th October, 2012
Nigeria’s Henry Atseye has confessed that his opponent in yesterday second round match in the first leg of the Governor’s Cup Lagos Tennis Championship, Kento Takeuchi was better than him.
Atseye lost gallantly to the tournament’s third seed in a grudge match that ended 6-3, 1-6, 7-5. The Nigerian put up a stunning performance to win the first set, but the Japanese star was too much for him in the second and third sets of the thrilling match which lasted more than two hours on the Centre Court of the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Onikan, yesterday.
“Takeuchi was the better player in that match no doubt about that. He is well exposed and got enough experience to play on a big stage like the Governor’s Cup. Unlike me, this will be the third tournament I will be playing this year after the CBN Open and one invitational competition in Anambra. How do you expect me to measure up to Takeuchi? I’m happy that though I lost this match, it was not a one-sided fight. I showed that Nigerian spirit in me,” said Atseye who vowed to bounce back in the second leg of the FCMB Plc and Etisalat Nigeria sponsored ITF pro circuit.
Other Nigerians who lost out in their second round matches yesterday were Onyeka Mbanu who was soundly trashed by top seed Kamil Capkovic of Slovakia in straight sets of 6-1,6-1, while Sanni Adamu also lost to Alesandro Petrone 6-2,6-2.