18th October, 2013
The Nigerian pair of Shehu Lawal and Sunday Maku showed great resilience to defeat India’s Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan and Ranjeet Virali-Murugesan, 3-6,6-3, 10-6 in the Men’s Doubles quarter final match at the ongoing Governor’s Cup Lagos Tennis Championship Friday
The Indians, who were bullish in the first set, raced to a 4-1 lead to show great intent. The Nigerians tried to fight back to take the game to 5-3! but could not hold out for too long as their Indian opponents finished the set in style.
However, the local boys showed the determination to win the second set by took the lead to 4-1 before the Indians put up a fight to give the Nigerians a scare, but Shehu and his partner showed great composure to win the set at 6-3, thus taking the game to third and final set.
The final set saw a repeat of the previous sets but the Nigerians showed that they needed the tie more than the Indians and won the game to the admiration of the crowd at the tennis court.
Lawal who looked tired after the game, said that it was not an easy match, adding that they had to play their hearts out to ensure that Nigeria’s flag keeps flying at the competition after poor performance in the singles events.
“You all saw that the game was a very tough one but we had to put in everything to ensure that we still continue in the competition.
“We shall now prepare for the semi final which is will be played later Friday and see how far we can go from there,” he said after the game.
—Damilare Okunola