Sylvester Emmanuel has defeated Joseph Imeh 7-5, 6-4 to emerge as winner of the inaugural edition of the Vemp Open Tennis Championship held at the tennis section of the National Stadium, Abuja.
The Nigerian number four player made it second consecutive title win after clinching the 40th Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Open title in Abuja a few months ago.
Nigerian Tennis Live feelers from Abuja had it that the beastly Sylvester was 2-5 down at a point in the first set, but held serve, broke Imeh and took the game to 4-5 before the rain interrupted the game.
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| Meet Nigeria’s most in-form player at the moment, Sylvester Emmanuel, he just won the inaugural edition of the Vemp Open Tennis Championship in Abuja. Photo credit: NTF. |
His momentum would not drop after the match resumed, as he held on to win 7-5 in the first set, making it the first time the 2017 Dala Hard Court losing finalist would drop a set at the tournament.
The second set started much similarly to the way the first ended with Major racing to a 2-0 lead, hitting an astonishing ace in the process. The crowd cheered, they loved it!
Even though he tried all he could, Imeh could still not find a way back into the game as he succumbed to a 4-6 loss as he seeks his first win in a national competition.
Meanwhile, Blessing Samuel emerged as the winner of the Women’s Singles as she ensured that a resurgent Lovetth Donatus could not sustain the momentum in the game. She won 6-1, 7-6(4).
The win has put an end to the recent dominance of Sarah Adegoke, Nigeria’s number one female tennis player, and has also put credence to the huge efforts that Donatus has put into her tennis in recent years.