Thomas Otu, the defending champion of the Dala Hard Court Tennis Championship, has been knocked out of the competition in the first round, Nigeria Tennis Live can report.
Otu’s defeat was made possible by Emmanuel Paul, the tournament’s 19th seed, who dug deep to win the former Nigerian number one male tennis star. He ended up winning in the final set, playing 6/7(3), 6/1,6/1.
Sylvester Emmanuel was also responsible for the defeat of four-time champion, Shehu Lawal, in straights sets to advance with a 6-3, 7-5 victory, while giant killer Emmanuel Sunday also produced a very good performance to beat Michael Amos 6-4, 6-2, just as Nomso Madueke defeated Muhammed Musa 6-4, 7-5.
In ladies matches, Blessing Samuel who recently won the Rainoil Tennis Open Championship and is the tournament’s defending champion, defeated Rose Abu as she led 6-3, 5-0 before Abu retired due to injury.
Samuel will next play Ronke Akingbade, who outplayed Bunmi Are in a 6-1, 6-1 game while legendary Christie Agugbom beat Oluchi Ozurumba 6-0, 6-3.
Patience Onebamhoin also defeated Mary Tenu-Michael 6-1, 6-1 while Osariemen Airhunwunde defeated Bukola Olowu in a 6-1, 6-7, 7-6 game.