Nigeria’s Christian Paul avoided what could have been an embarrassment for the locals at the Dayak Open when he defeated an Argentine to berth in the Main Draws of the second leg of the ITF Futures taking place in Abuja, Nigeria’s Federal Capital.
Paul was the only Nigerian who made it through the qualifying series of Dayak Open which is solely sponsored by Engr. Dayo Akindoju, president of the Nigeria Tennis Federation, after other ‘home’ boys lost their matches in the qualifying series.
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| Christian Paul found his mojo at the right time. |
The Abuja-based tennis player got rid of Argentine Franco Feitt 6-4, 6-1 to join Wild Card entrants, Ireland-based Adebola Obasoto and Emmanuel Audu in the main draw of the tournament.
Sylvester Emmanuel lost 6-1, 7-6 to Alexis Klegou of Benin, Joseph Imeh was narrowly edged 7-6 (8) 7-6 (4) by Dutch Stephan Gerritsen in a fierce duel that lasted almost two hours, just as Clifford Enosoregbe lost in two straight sets of 6-2, 6-3 to Swiss Mirko Martinez.
Nigerians will hope that their representatives will give good accounts of themselves during the week-long event as the first week was quite uneventful for the players.
Nigerian Tennis Live will keep tabs on the outcome of the players’ performances as the tournament progresses.