Sylvester Emmanuel was in beast mode again when he took up legendary Abdulmumin Babalola in the Men’s Singles semis at the ongoing Vemp Open Tennis Championship, winning 6-6, 3-6, 7-6 (6) to land in his second consecutive final in a national competition.
Like their Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Open final a few months ago, Sylvester had to play the tie breaker to defeat the power-playing Babalola, and would have felt the most relieved after the nervy encounter.
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| Sylvester Emmanuel feeling ecstatic after landing in his second consecutive national final in months. Photo credit: NTF |
With this win, the beastly player often referred to as Major by his close friends and associates, stands a chance of winning consecutive national championships after the historic win at the 40th CBN Open competition.
He faces Joseph Imeh who wasted no time in dismissing giant killer, Sunday Emmanuel in two straight sets of 6-4, 6-3.
Imeh would be hoping to win his first-ever national tournament after failing to win one throughout the 2017 tennis season. He played in the final of the CBN Open final, Rainoil Championship and the Dala Hard Court tournament without winning any of them.
The Davis Cup player who is yet to drop a set in this competition, will be expecting to bury the ghost and win a major tournament for the first time in his illustrious career.
Meanwhile, Sylvester partnered Clifford Enosoregbe to defeat the legendary duo of Babalola and Shehu Lawal in the Men’s Doubles final.
Nigerian Tennis Live will keep tabs on the activities preceding the final which will take place on Saturday, 8 September, and report to our teeming audience.