Oyinlomo Barakat and Christopher Bulus will begin their title defence on Wednesday, September 13, Naija Tennis Special can authoritatively report.
The players landed in Benin Republic on Monday after initially postponing their trip by 24 hours and some of them already started defeating their opponents.
Ayoola Michael started the competition on a good note for the Nigerian players when he defeated Binci Yigit from Turkey in two straight sets of 6-4, 6-3 just as Benjamin Odiase beat Togo’s Christian Agbor 6-4, 6-1.
Emma Dim lost to Toheeb from Benin in the final set as they played 6-1, 5-7, 2-6 just as Carmen from the same host country downed Nigeria’s Mariam Balogun, 6-1, 6-0.
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| Bulus during a training session before leaving Lagos. He will be looking at setting the records straight at the ITF championship. |
Matthew Abamu broke the hosts’ resolve by defeating home boy, Sodiq Nougbessi 6-1, 7-5 as US returnee Adetayo Adetunji showed class against another Beninoise, winning 6-0, 6-1.
The Nigerian players distinguished themselves in the opening fixtures, and even though they suffered some losses, will consolidate with their subsequent performances.
Another impressive junior player, Wilson Igbinovia, did a lot to beat Herve Pendaniu from Togo in a hard fought game, winning 6-3, 7-5 but Jimoh Rasaki could not withstand the firepower of Cote D’Ivoire’s Isaac, 5-7, 3-6.
American returnee, Venus Ubiebi was also overpowered by Marie Ange, another Ivorian, losing 1-6, 2-6, just as an India’s Malaht Megnah beat Omolayo Bamidele 6-1, 6-4.
The doubles for both boys and girls also commenced on Wednesday as Nigeria will be looking at another domineering performance over the three legs of the championship.
“We are definitely giving it our best shot as we are here for serious business.
“The players know the task ahead and we are well prepared for everything that will be thrown at us by every opponent here,” Coach Abel Ubiebi, one of the players’ trainers, said.