Nigeria’s dreams of securing promotion to the Billie Jean King Cup Europe/Africa Group II are still alive despite a loss to Tunisia in their first promotional playoff tie.
The Nigerian duo of Oyinlomo Quadre and Success Ogunjobi were in action for the Nigerian team in Gaborone, Botswana today and gave their best but it was not enough to secure a win for Nigeria in their quest for promotion.
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Ogunjobi played the first rubber against Lamiss Houas but could not manage a win as she fell 1-6, 3-6 to hand Nigeria an uphill task of defeating their north African opponent. US-based Quadre, however, secured a win for Nigeria by defeating Nour Sahnoun 6-1, 4-6, 6-1 to hand Nigeria a lifeline.
The Nigerian pair of Ogunjobi and Quadre then partnered to play the final rubber – a Doubles fixture against the Tunisians.
Despite serving for the first set twice, the Nigerian ladies could not find a way past their tough opponents who dragged the match to a tiebreak which they won to take a 7-6(4) lead in the first rubber.
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Quadre and her partner found a unique winning style in the second set and deservedly won 6-1 to force a ten-point tiebreak in the final set. Tunisia did not rest on their oars, seeing that they already lost to Botswana in the first promotional match, and raced to a 6-0 lead in the final set.
After both teams switched sides, the Tunisians continued with their dominance and went 7-0 up before Nigeria could get a point of their own. At 9-1, the Nigerians managed to save just one match point before their rampaging opponents ended the tie with a 10-2 win.
Nigeria will now face hosts Botswana in the final promotional playoffs tie, knowing that only an express 3-0 win can guarantee an automatic promotion to the Europe/Africa Group II.
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Here’s what the group standing looks like at the moment:
Botswana: P1 W1 Sets W/L 4/2 Matches W/L 2/1
Tunisia: P2 W1 Sets W/L 7/7 Matches W/L 3/3
Nigeria: P1 W0 Sets W/L 3/5 Matches W/L 1/2
If Nigeria defeat Botswana by a 3-0 margin, it automatically confirms their spot as the top-placed team, having won most matches. A 2-1 win for Nigeria ties the number of matches for all teams at 3-3 and leaves the decision on who qualifies to the number of sets won, after which the number of games won will come to play.
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The Nigerian team in Botswana will strive for the best possible result to give themselves a chance to reach the Europe/Africa Group II for the first time since they started playing the Billie Jean King Cup event in 2021.
Nigeria Tennis Live will keep tabs on the activities of the players in Botswana as they chase promotion in what could be a turning point for female tennis in Nigeria.