29th April, 2013
Defending Champion of the Men’s Singles at the ongoing Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN Open, Abdul-Mumuni Babalola has declared that he wants to reclaim the title he won last year.
Babalola, who defeated Basil Jacob in straight sets of 6-2, 6-2 in his first match of the main draws of the competition early today at the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos told P.M.NEWS Sports that though there would be tough oppositions in his quest to win the title, he is battle ready.
“It’s every defending champion’s dream to defend his title and I’m no exception. So I’m here this year to win the trophy and I believe I can do it.
“The match against Jacob was not an easy one, I thank God that I began this tournament on a bright note,” he said.
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s number one female tennis player, Fatimah Abinu, is missing in this year’s championship as she was said to have travelled to the United States of America few weeks before the commencement of the competition.
It was gathered from a reliable source that the increased prize money wasn’t enough motivation for her to come back and defend the title she won last year when she defeated Sarah Adegole in the final.
—Damilare Okunola