If there is a better time for the ‘battle line has been drawn’ maxim, it has to be for today in this Women’s Singles final between Oyinlomo Quadre and Marylove Edwards.
Barely a year ago, both players played the finals of the Junior ITF Grade 5 tournament in Abuja, where the blazing Quadre shone like millions, winning that one 6-1, 6-0.
But a lot has changed since that tournament, for both players – that is.
Quadre has gone on to play and win another national competition to end the year with the Nigerian Slam, and unrivaled feat in the Nigerian tennis circuit.
On the other hand, Edwards has had to battle fitness and adequate game time, but these did not deter her from doing very well at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Open Tennis Championship.
She recorded some amazing wins, including a nervy win against former champion and tennis legend, Christie Agugbom.
For both players, asides their rivalry, there seems to be different stakes to fight in this final encounter.
They are both playing in the finals of the CBN Open for the second time each, and while Quadre already won at her first attempt, Edwards tasted defeat in the hands of Sarah Adegoke in 2016.
Her match against Adegoke inside court two of the National Stadium, Lagos was a reminisce of Fatimah Abinu and the then timid Sarah.
Nigeria Tennis Live recalls that Adegoke had broken down in tears after losing to then national superstar, the same way Edwards cried after losing in 2016, in spite of the support she had.
As it stands, Quadre will be thinking of consolidating her place ad Nigeria’s best tennis player, while Edwards will have two missions.
She will be hoping to be second time lucky in the finals and ultimately get her revenge against Quadre for denying her a second consecutive junior ITF triumph.
On paper, Edwards ranked 636 in the world is seen as a less formidable opponent for Quadre who’s 142. But there is always an opening for upsets, no?
In spite of their ratings, though, one thing is certain, both players will give tennis fans and spectators a lot to cheer about when they both take to the court today.
Engr. Ifedayo Akindoju will surely be proud of himself to witness two junior players slug it out in the senior cadre of national tennis competition, while hoping to see more of this in future tournaments.