Nigeria’s number one player, David Ekpenyong, has spoken for the first time since winning his first ever J100 event in Accra, Ghana.
The Nigerian teenage sensation beat Nikola Jovic from Serbia for the second time in three meetings to win a final set thriller in the capital city of Ghana, and boost his Junior ITF ranking.
Ekpenyong had defeated the tournament’s number two seed in the J60 final they played a few weeks ago before losing to the same opponent during the first leg of the J100 event, also in Accra.
But on Saturday, the Nigerian champion was at his very best to overcome his experienced opponent who snatched the first set and gave him a tough time on the court.
After the match, a relieved Ekpenyong spoke with Nigeria Tennis Live from Ghana, where he shared his thoughts on the game and how he was able to overcome his really strong opponent.
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“First of all, I want to congratulate myself for winning my first J100. Winning it in Ghana and more importantly, Africa makes it even better.
“I traveled Canada to play J100, I got to the final but I couldn’t get to win so, I’m very impressed with myself and I’m proud of myself and the team also. My coaches, I’m proud of them and my academy, Aurum Tennis Academy.
“I feel great because I came into Ghana, I played J60 and won, got to the J100, in the first week, I lost in the finals and I felt bad because I believe winning the J60 should have given me an edge to win the J100 but I lost so badly in that match,” he explained.
How how he was able to come from a set down to the tough encounter, the reigning CBN Open Champion revealed that he wouldn’t stop believing in his ability to overturn the match and win.
He said: “In the second leg of the J100, the same person I played in the previous weeks was my opponent in the final. So, I prepared myself mentally and physically, but I still lost the first set 6-2.
READ ALSO: Impressive Ekpenyong Is Nigeria’s New Number One Player (FULL RANKINGS)
“As time went by, I won the second set 6-4, and the final set 6-4. It was a tough one and I’m very happy and motivated to go play more tournaments.
“When I was one set down, I just had this belief that I could fight. I just stayed positive and was not thinking of losing.
“I just kept thinking that I could do it, and yeah, I did it.”
Ekpenyong will not return home for any break after winning two of three finals in the last three weeks, as he continues with his tournaments outside Africa to build more points.
According to him: “From here, I’ll be leaving for Mexico on the 1st of November to play the J100, J300 and J500.
“They’re all on clay court, and not my favourite surface, but I’m going to try my best to make myself proud there, to compete and perform very well.”
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