Irrespective of what the outcome of the matches is, three Nigerian players will be joining their counterparts in the first round of the GSL Open ITF Futures in Abuja, Nigeria’s federal capital. But it will not be an easy ride for whoever makes it to the Main Draw.
Nigerian Tennis Live checks have it that the likes of ageless Abdulmumuni Babalola, Joseph Imeh, Christian Paul, Emmanuel Idoko, Clifford Enosoregbe and Thomas Otu, are in pole position to get into the main draws of the tournament through the qualifiers.
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| Babalola will fancy his chances of getting into the first round of the GSL Open in Abuja. |
Babalola, one of Nigeria’s best tennis players of all time, will seek a berth in the first round when he confronts Christian Paul, the highest ranked Nigerian on the ATP.
This match will be seen as one between the ‘old’ and the ‘young’ as Babalola looks to be taking his time with games and picking the ones he’s likely to compete in. But Paul will see this as an opportunity to topple his ranking points on the circuit.
In another tough match in the qualifying series that involves two Nigerians, Enosoregbe, a former national champion, will take on Otu, the defending champion of the Dala Hard Court tournament.
Both players badly need to make it to the first round, but based on current form, Otu seems like a favourite to win the day. However, Enosoregbe is one of Nigeria’s best players on his day, and was once tipped to be among the top 500 in the world after a defeat to an Indian top pro.
Regardless of what happens, spectators at the tennis section of the National Stadium in Abuja are sure to be treated to some top class tennis actions on Sunday when the final qualifying matches will be played.