J5: Igbinovia, Marylove Seek Semis Berth In Togo, Jebutu Too

Nigeria’s top ranked players on the junior ITF rankings, Wilson Igbinovia and Marylove Edwards are living to their ranking status at the J5 event in Lome, Togo.

Nigeria Tennis Live had reported that both players were the number one seeds in the boys and girls event in Togo and they have lived up to that rating by dismissing their opponents with panache.

Igbinovia saw off Egypt’s Ismail Safwat 6-2, 6-3 to land in quarters where he faces Kenneth Adjokatse, the number eight seed from Ghana.

Number three seed, Nigeria’s Emmanuel Jebutu who has also been outstanding, will face Abubakari Yakubu-Lea from Ghana after defeating Hamza Eltoukhi from Egypt in a 6-0, 4-6, 6-0 game in the second round.

Another Nigerian player doing well at the J5 event in Lome, Togo is Usman Kushimo.

The Nigerian number seven seed thrashed Caleb Aryettey from Ghana 6-0, 6-3 and will now face Louay Makke from Ivory Coast for a semis berth.

In the girls’ event, Marylove Edwards survived a major scare during her battle against unseeded Tabeth Tadoum from the US

The former US-based youngster was stunned in the first set, losing 3-6, but she dug deep to emerge winner with 6-4, 6-3 final set win.

Edwards will now face Alicia Owegi from Kenya for a spot in the competition’s semifinal.

The Nigerian top seeds at the J5 event will look to compensate their spots on the rankings ahead of the competition’s second leg.

Nigeria Tennis Live will continue monitoring their progress in the West African country in the coming weeks, and report to our teeming audience.