Top seeds in all the categories, except one, cruised into the semifinals as the CBN Junior Tennis Championships approached the business end.
Fortune Joseph the No.2 seed in the Boys 14 was beaten by fellow Lagosian Kehinde Abdul-Ganiyu 8-6. The unseeded player also ensured that a possible semifinal clash between the Kushimo brothers from Ogun State did not happen by beating Sadiq Kushimo 8-6.
Abdul-Ganiyu will now meet Usman Kushimo in one semifinal while the other will be between David Dawariye of the Port Harcourt based Kodian Academy and Joseph Peter from Lagos. . .
Marylove Edwards, Girl’s 16 top seed eliminated Kasara Adegboyega from Ibadan 8-1 while the No. 3 seed Toyin Asogba was taken to the brink of defeat by Kaduna based Favour Moses but survived the deciding tie-break to win 9-8.
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| Marylove is set to retain her title at the ongoing CBN Junior Tennis Championship |
Edwards will now meet Omolayo Bamidele from Ekiti who said her mission at the tournament was to defeat Edwards. Asogba will take on second seed, Omolade Aderemi, from Ekiti who had an easy win over Tobi Salami.
In the Boys 18, Michael Osewa, the No. 1 seed from Lagos was made to work hard by Philip Abayomi also from Lagos but came through 8-6 to stay on course for the expected clash against second seeded club mate Stephen Augustine who trashed Ayoola Olumide from Lagos 8-1.
Boys 16 defending champion and No.1 seed Mathew Abamu from Lagos displayed outstanding confidence in his quarter final match against Victor Friday from Port Harcourt winning 8-1.
The No.2 seed in the category, Emmanuel Jebutu, also stayed on course with an 8-1 victory over Jinadu Morenikeji from Abeokuta.
The semifinal matches are scheduled for the National Stadium Surulere Tennis Centre on Friday beginning 10 am while the grand finale will take place at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Race Course on Saturday starting 12 noon.