Seun Ogunsakin defeated Daniel Adeleye in the Boys Singles Final at the J30 Abuja event in what is his first ever Junior ITF title in about two years since he started playing ITF events.
The Tunisia-based former African U-14 number one player showed a lot of brilliance in the final set match against one of his hitting partners from Ekiti State, and thrilled the spectators inside the tennis section of the National Stadium, Abuja on Sunday, 18 February, 2024.
Adeleye, who remains the player to beat from this part of the country, hit some powerful cross-court backhand which brought spectators to their feet. “You are playing tennis,” some of them cheered!
But it was Ogunsakin, who was frequently frustrated by his opponent’s superiority in many aspects of the game, that had the last laugh. With one powerful serve, he raised his head in victory and was cheered by the fans on the stand. He won 6-1, 1-6, 6-3.
Thus, Ogunsakin adds the J30 title to his enviable list of trophies won in his growing career despite still being 15 years old.
In the girls Singles final, it was Ohunene Yakubu, the tournament’s number one seed, who took the show and shone like a million in her match up against Etoro Bassey.
The first set of the match ended 6-0, as Yakubu seemed in a haste to get the match done and dusted to add to her cap as Nigeria’s highest ranked female junior player on the ITF.
However, Bassey from the GEUF Tennis Academy in Akwa Ibom, put up a stiff resistance to put pressure on her more experienced opponent.
With some brilliant tennis, the tournament’s number two seed was able to even the game at the restart, and was growing more into the game at 2-2.
Yakubu, sensing danger, deployed all the weapons in her arsenal to ensure the match did not last any longer than it did, ending the game with a second set win.
“Game set and match, Yakubu. Two sets to love, six love, six three,” the chair umpire announced.
Again, there was a loud cheer from the spectators who were excited to watch the youngster prove her mettle against a very strong opponent and keep her stock rising.
All the players were beaming with smiles as they were presented with their trophies and medals after the final matches on Sunday afternoon.
The main draw second leg of the J30 event is billed to serve off on Wednesday, 21 February, 2024, also inside the tennis section of the National Stadium, Abuja.
Nigeria Tennis Live will keep our readers posted on the latest updates from the competition which has players from Russia, Hong Kong, Taipei, USA, France, Namibia, et al, in attendance.
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