Suwa Nenrot’s fairytale run at the VEMP Open is still on after the teenage tennis sensation defeated number three seed, Omolayo Bamidele in the quarterfinals.
Nenrot started the competition from the qualifying rounds and battled her way past established and top player Stella Udokwellu in the second round to reach the quarterfinal where she played against top seed Bamidele.
And in an unprecedented fashion, the Jos-based tennis teenager found a way to defeat the hard-hitting Bamidele to reach the semifinal of a major national tournament for the first time ever.
The Coach Joe Olalekan-tutored youngster played the match of her life when she lasted four hours, seventeen minutes on the court against Bamidele, securing the match through a nail-biting final set despite being 2-4 down in that match.
READ ALSO: Naija Leap Sports: Samson Ayodeji Breathes Fresh Air Into Tennis Development In Nigeria
She will be up against Etoro Bassey, one of Nigeria’s finest players, in the semis scheduled for Friday, 11 July, 2025, for a chance to reach the final of a major competition at the first time of trying.
The second semifinal match will be between Nigeria’s number one player, Khadijat Mohammed and Mary Udoffa. Mohammed defeated new rival, Success Ogunjobi in two impeccable sets of 6-4, 6-3 to land Udoffa in the semis.
Udoffa on her part, got the better of Abuja-based Favour Moses to go 3-0 in their head-to-head since their first meeting, and will be hoping to reach the final of a major national event for the first time ever.
In the Men’s event, Canice Abua had to battle through a final set tie to defeat unyielding Yahaya Sani-Inabo in a game that ended 6-0, 3-6, 6-3. Abua, the tournament’s number one seed, will now take on Daniel Adeleye in the semis after the Lagos-based tennis star defeated Mubarak Ganiyu 6-2, 6-1.
READ ALSO: Players Complain Bitterly Over DavNotch, VEMP Open Prize Monies
Former Nigerian number one male tennis player, Uche Oparaoji, was quite clinical during his match against Michael Emmanuel, with a 6-3, 6-2 win and will battle youngster Lucky Danjuma in the semis after the Junior ITF star defeated Mevi Irimiya 6-2, 2-1(rtd).
The semifinal matches are scheduled to serve off by 10am inside the tennis section of the National Stadium, Abuja, venue of the week-long championship sponsored by the NTF President, Engr. Ifedayo Akindoju.
Nigeria Tennis Live will keep all our readers posted on the latest developments from the competition which comes to a close on Saturday, 12 July, 2025.