Players from Rivers, Ekiti and Edo States put up exceptional performances to win their opening matches at the 2025 TPPA UTR Finals in Lagos.
The TPPA National Junior Tennis event is climaxing in Lagos after two legs of regionals across 12 centres throughout the federation, with players from over 20 States participating in the grand finale.
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Despite the rain delay, the youngsters were able to get back on the court to prove just how much they missed competing against one another, with Edo State’s Lorelay Holzendorff setting the tone with an emphatic win.
She defeated Kwara State’s Ziyyadat Wuraola 4-1, 4-0 even though the scoreline was not a reflection of the action packed encounter. The match was followed by an intense battle between FCT’s Emmanuella Kelvin-Bebe and Fego Ayetuoma from Rivers State.
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Ayetuoma made an unprecedented comeback during the match against her opponent despite losing the first set 2-4. Buoyed by the support of her friends from the Stand, the Rivers State player overturned the deficit and ended tie with a 4, 5-3, 10-8 win.
Unlike Ayetuoma, Ekiti State’s Gloria Samuel did not have to play a final set but was still made to fight for her win against Niger State’s Destiny Tomizayi.
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Samuel, one of the most promising youngsters in Nigeria, won 4-2, 5-4(1) in her first round robin match.
The opening match did not as planned for Lagos State’s Bisola Ogunkolade, as she fell to Favour Lucky from Imo State in what was a frantic start to the nationals for both players. The match ended 5-4(3), 4-1.
Some participants also had to go through the play-offs to be able to play in the main draw of the competition which has afforded numerous Nigerian tennis players the opportunity to earn UTR points while playing in the country.
About 200 players are competing in the U-12, 14, 16 & youth categories during the tournament which runs from 4-9 August, 2025, inside the Lagos Country Club, Ikeja, venue of the national junior event.
Nigeria Tennis Live will keep our readers updated on the activities at the weeklong competition which has the best junior players across the country in attendance.