Marylove Edwards will have to be at her very best when she takes on defending champion, Blessing Samuel, at the ongoing Rainoil Open Tennis Championship.
The US-based youngster who has been in incredible form in recent weeks, will hope to overpower the Nigerian number three tennis star when they clash in her second match of the tournament.
Edwards had only recently returned to the national scene after a short absence due to her tennis development abroad on the sponsorship of Temple Management Company.
She won her first title on the circuit at the recently held Abuja ITF tournament and lost only the second leg to Oyinlomo Quadre, Africa’s number four junior tennis star.
With the wild card she got to compete in the N5.1million rated tournament, the one time CBN Senior Open finalist is tipped to make heads turn with her improved performances in recent weeks.
On Thursday as well, youngster Oiza Yakubu will take on former national champion and tennis legend, Christie Agugbom, in her second match of the tournament.
Number one seed, Quadre, seeks to win her third consecutive national tournament as she battles Lovett Donatus for a berth in the quarterfinal.
All the matches will be played on clay court as the competition nears its business end where the top guns are separated from others.
Nigeria Tennis Live will continue with updates from the tournament as it progresses inside the Lagos Country Club, Ikeja, Lagos.