17th December, 2014
Damilare Okunola
Emerging youngster, Emmanuel Idoko stunned one of Nigeria’s top tennis stars, Abdulmumuni Babalola, at the ongoing Ikoyi Masters, defeating him 7-6, 7-6 in the first match of the round robin stage.
In what looked like a repeat of their match at the recently concluded Nigeria Ports Authority, NPA Open in Abuja, the 2014 Chevron Masters champion, fought really hard to defeat Babalola, a Davis Cup player who was once Nigeria’s number one male tennis player.
Another teenage sensation, Angel Mcleod, 13, who thrashed Toyin Asoba from Lagos 9-0 in 25 minutes, in her round robin match at the NNPC Junior Tennis Circuit Masters at the National Stadium, Tuesday morning, moved over to Ikoyi to give Dala Hard Court finalist, Aanu Aiyegbusi a big fight in the evening.
Mcleod, who was given a wildcard for the senior event, broke for a 3-2 lead in the first set but could not consolidate by holding serve and eventually lost the set 7-5.
In the second set, the Dubai- based Nigerian had four break points at 4-4 to be in a winning position but Aiyegbusi deplored her legendary defensive skills to draw errors from the junior star to push the set to a tie-break which she won 7-5, 7-6.
Mcleod will take on former number one, Blessing Samuel, on the centre court of the Ikoyi Club in her second round robin match Wednesday.
Sylvester Emmanuel took the first set off national champion, Clifford Enosoregbe but eventually succumbed 5-7, 6-2, 6-1, while Henry Atseye beat John Otu, who replaced an indisposed Candy Idoko, in straight sets in the last men’s round robin match.
National women’s number one player, Sarah Adegoke saved three set points in the first set to beat Blessing Samuel 7-5, 6-4, while Christy Agugbom defeated Loveth Donatus 6-1, 6-1.
The Ikoyi Club Tennis Masters is featuring the top eight players, men and women, in Nigeria and semifinalists will emerge from the two round robin groups with the finals scheduled for Saturday.