Isa Yahaya worked his way into the boys’ U-16 final at the ongoing Azimuth Shipping Lines Junior Tennis Championship in Lagos.
The youngster, who won the boys’ U-14 event at the Sapetro Futures Tennis tournament in Lagos a few months ago, defeated Nathaniel Aluko in an enthralling finale.
Aluko, 14, who was playing his first U-16 tournament, was the fans’ favourite to reach the final after his unprecedented performances at the competition.
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And the Lagos Country Club trainee looked set to reach the final of the boys’ 16 event despite going behind 3-6 in the first as he raced to a 6-0 win in the second, while setting up a comfortable lead in the final set before relinquishing the lead to the more rampaging Yahaya.
The ‘Stadium boy’ will now compete against Mohammed Amir in the final of the boys’ U-16 event on Saturday, 18 January, 2025.
Youngsters, Mabubat Rasaki and Whitney Orimoloye will compete for the girls’ U-12 title after both overcoming their opponents in the semifinal matches decided on Friday afternoon.
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Ibadan-based Rasaki who has not dropped a set all week, reached the final after seeing off Chidi Afambonnu 6-0, 6-0 while Ghana-based Orimoloye was the bested Gloria Akpan 6-2, 6-2.
Daniel Igbinovia came out tops in his boys’ U-12 semifinal match against his twin brother, David, after latter retired in the second set after losing 3-6 in the first set. The Igbinovia brother will now face off against the Ashim Ghazal, the number one seed from Oyo State.
Ghazal defeated David Kwange to reach the final, but it was a tough nut to crack for the sensational youngster. He won the first set 6-3, but was made to work really hard before emerging champion in the second set via tiebreak which ended 7-6(6).
Bayelsa State’s Joel Michael steered into the boys’ U-14 final after an impressive two straight sets victory over Daniel Johnson. His 6-0, 6-2 win sets him up against Godwin Akinfunmiloye who was the better player in his semis match against James Adamu with a 6-0, 6-3 win.
The girls’ U-14 final between home girl, Mofifunoluwa Atilola and Emmanuella Kelvin Bebe promises to be a classic as it is a match between two of the most impressive youngsters in the competition.
Atilola defeated Salvation Alex 6-1, 6-0 while Kelvin Bebe knocked off Opeyemi Oladimeji 6-3, 6-0 and the finale will be a clash between two players who are yet to drop a set in the Azimuth tournament.
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Gloria Samuel from Ekiti State will have Lorelay Holzendorff from Edo State to contend with for the girls’ U-16 title in another clash of the titans. Samuel defeated Adesewa Olaniyan 6-2, 6-3 while Holzendorff won 6-3, 6-1 against Lucky Favour.
The final round of matches at the Azimuth Shipping Lines Junior Tennis Championship are expected to serve off by 10am on Saturday, 18 January, 2025, inside the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Onikan Lagos.
Nigeria Tennis Live will keep all our readers updated on activities from the finale which promises to be as exciting as they come.