Mevi Irimiya, one of the fastest growing tennis youngsters in the Nigerian tennis circuit pulled an unprecedented upset in the first round of the Dr. Joseph Ikyaator Tennis Open Championship, in Makurdi, Benue State.
Irimiya who had previously upset Iloputa Ikechukwu during the VEMP National Open Championships in Abuja a few months ago, stunned Lucky Danjuma, the tournament’s number three seed, in what was an impressive win.
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He defeated the Abuja-based tennis sensation in straight sets of 6-4, 6-2 to set up a second round match against home boy, Kate Kpum, who also caused an unlikely upset to reach the second round.
Kpum who got a wild card to participate in main draw of the event, defeated Tobi Agboola of the Mambilla Barracks in straight sets that ended 6-0, 6-3.
In the other matches, the top seeds won their first round matches to reach the second round of the tournament as the competition gets stiffer and tougher.
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Daniel Adeleye, the number one seed, defeated Daniel Kwange 6-0, 6-3; Canice Abua, the number two seed, needed a final set to beat Abdulasalami Mohammed 7-6(5), 4-6, 6-1 to reach the second round.
Former Nigerian number one player, Uche Oparaoji, was also clinical in his match against Sani Yau, whom he defeated 6-2, 6-3 while Elisha Kwange produced one of the performances of the tournament to defeat Isaac Danjuma.
The match ended in straight sets victory for Kwange, but it was one match that extended for a while, ending 7-6(7), 6-2.
In the Women’s Singles, number one seed, Khadijat Mohammed, moved swiftly to the next round with a 6-0, 6-1 win over Grace Onoja.
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Youngster Alex Salvation, who reached the main draw of the competition through the qualifying rounds, defeated fellow qualifier, Mary Azi, 6-2,3-6, 6-4 to reach the second round of a senior national tournament for the first time ever.
Number two seed, Suwa Nenrot, defeated Mary Godwin 6-1, 6-3 while Mary Udoffa outlasted Favour Moses in a final set tie that ended 6-3, 1-6, 6-4.
Home players, Eunice and Mary Iolurmun had contrasting fates during their first round matches in front of their own supporters.
While Eunice lost to Favour Godwin, 1-6, 1-6, Mary had a better outing, defeating Khadijat Salami 7-5, 6-4 to reach the second round in Makurdi.
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Matches continue today at the national ranking event in Makurdi, Benue State, venue of the Dr. Joseph Ikyaator Open Tennis Championship which is attracting all the best players from across the country.
Nigeria Tennis Live will keep up with activities in Makurdi and report all the latest developments to our teeming audience scattered across the globe.