Prosper Okonkwo produced what could be one of the biggest upsets at this year’s VEMP Open National Tennis Championship by beating Canice Abua in the Men’s Singles quarterfinal match.
The J30 Abuja finalist battled the tournament’s number four seed in a final set cracker which ended 6-4, 3-6, 7-5 in favour of the youngster.
Okonkwo will now try to avoid a second defeat to Daniel Adeleye in as many matches when the pair face off in the semifinal on Friday. Adeleye reached the semis by seeing of Musa Mohammed in two hard fought sets of 6-3, 7-6(4).
Defending champion of the VEMP Open tournament, Uche Oparaoji, will be facing a stiff hinderance when he plays against David Ekpenyong, the competition’s number one seed, for a place in the final of the event.
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While Oparaoji was the better player in his quarterfinal match against Ikechukwu Iloputa, winning, 6-4, 6-2, Ekpenyong had to play till the final set to defeat Michael Emmanuel 6-2, 6-7(2), 6-3.
In the Women’s Singles quarterfinal match, Anu Aiyegbusi continued to live up to her pre-tournament billing, as she saw off emerging youngster, Mary Udoffa in two sets, winning 6-2, 6-3. She takes on Omolayo Bamidele in the semis.
Bamidele bested Stella Udokwelu in two quick sets which ended 6-0, 6-3.
Blessing Omotayo has to cross the hurdle posed by Khadijat Mohammed to secure a place in the final of the VEMP Open after defeating Favour Moses 6-1, 6-2.
Meanwhile, Mohammed was at her devastating best when she took on senior player, Patience Onebamhion in their quarterfinal clash, winning 6-2, 6-1.
In the Men’s Doubles event, Ekpenyong will partner Oparaoji to play the final against Kushimo Usman and Michael Emmanuel while Ayegbusi and Bamidele will pair up to battle Mohammed and Omotayo in the Women’s Doubles final.
Nigeria Tennis Live will bring all our followers and readers up to speed with all the updates from the remaining matches as the tournament winds down.