Nigeria’s number one male player, Joseph Imeh, is fast proving his mettle on the Nigerian circuit after recording another astonishing performance to reach successive Dala Hard Court Championship finals in Kano.
The in-form player had been beaten by Thomas Otu in the 2017 finale and he ended the year without winning a single national championship as he was crushed by Henry Atseye at the final of the inaugural Rainoil Tennis Open Championship.
Nigeria Tennis Live reports that Imeh, who has since picked up his pieces and continued his fine form, made no mistake in returning to a podium place finish on Friday when he ensured qualification for the final of the Kano competition where he meets familiar foe and Davis Cup teammate, Sylvester Emmanuel.
If Imeh wins this tournament, it will be his best year ever on the Nigerian tennis front as he would have won his second national title on a bounce after failing to record success in about four previous finals.
His first national tournament came exactly a week ago, when he overcame Atseye in a frantic Rainoil Tennis Open final under the floodlights at the tennis section of the Ikoyi Club 1938.
In the female category, Samuel Blessing who won the 2017 edition of the Dala tournament, made sure that she defeated Sarah Adegoke in two straight but difficult sets.
Adegoke who has been unconvincing all year fought her way to the final of the Kano championship, but could not hold her own against Samuel, who recently won the Rainoil Tennis Championship in Lagos.
Samuel defeated her greatest rival in recent times in a 6-3, 7-6(4) game which may have successfully returned her to the pinnacle of Nigerian tennis.
Nigeria Tennis Live will bring you updates from the final match which will be played in Kano on Saturday afternoon.