Bright Emmanuel, an underdog at the ongoing Azimuth Shipping Lines Limited Junior Tennis Championship, has worked her way to the final of the girls 14 & Under category of the tournament.
The 11-year-old, an unprecedented winner of the maiden edition of Coach Ohans Memorial Tennis Tournament at the Rowe Park Sports Centre, Yaba, shocked tennis fans at the ongoing competition to reach the final of the girls 14.
As at the time of filing this report, Emmanuel was already a set up and was tied in the second set against Success Ogunjobi, another solid player, in the girls 16 & Under category, as she seeks an entrant into the final of another age category.
But she could not keep up the pace, as she lost a final set super tie break to her opponent from Ekiti State.
Her coach, Michael Okopi, who was proud of his player’s performance after coming out of nowhere, noted that Nigerians should expect a lot more from the talented tennis youngster.
“You know, when we discovered Bright, she did not quite look like the player she is now, but we did a lot of work on her.
“I have been confident of this girl’s ability and I’m sure she can go even further than this by the time we are done ‘cooking’ her.
“It is not surprising that she has come this far within a short period, but there is still a lot of room for improvement for her. I cannot deny the fact that I’m really excited for her, though. She makes Me proud always,” the Apapa Tennis Club coach said.
In the boys 12 & Under, Ayoola Ozen will square up against Job Adam while Favour Benjamin will try to outplay Lorelay in the girls’ category.
Also, Sokoto-based youngster, Samsudeen Bello, will test his might against Joseph Ogunyemi in the boys 14 final as both players seek to win the education grant set aside for the winners and runners-up in every category.
The boys 16 final had yet to reach the semis stage as at the time this report was compiled.
The finals of all categories will start by 10am on Saturday, 15 January, and spectators are expected en masse to watch action packed junior tennis competition inside the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Onikan, Lagos.
Spectators are advised to use nose masks and ensure full compliance with all Covid-19 protocols ahead of the finale.