Jeremiah Benjamin did not feel disappointed despite failing to reach the semi final stage in his first ever appearance at an ITF competition.
The Apapa Tennis Club player has been impressive all week, and deservedly reached the quarterfinal of the J30 Abuja tournament, but met a stiff opposition in Prosper Okonkwo.
Okonkwo, playing as the tournament’s number two seed, was stunned by the Lagos boy in the first set, losing 1-6 in an unprecedented and shocking fashion.
Jeremiah was served in his own coin in the second set as his Abuja-based opponent ran riot and won the second set 6-0 in a rampaging manner.
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The final set was delicately poised for both players and they were a good match for each other taking the game off each other. At 5-5, it looked like a game which could go either way, but it was Okonkwo who took the initiative.
He held serve to take a 6-5 lead and eventually broke Jeremiah to win and give himself a befitting birthday gift and head to the semifinal of the event.
In a chat with Nigeria Tennis Live after the match, the Lagos boy said: “I am very happy that I played my game even though I did not win the match.
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“It’s my first time playing this kind of tournament and I am proud of my performance today. It was a tough match but I guess he stepped up his game in the second set.
“I am confident that I will do better next time and try to win my matches.”
The semifinal matches are now well set for all the male and female players. Alisha Ndukwu will play against Khadijat Mohammed while Ohunene Yakubu will play against Myah Chang Harper.
Daniel Adeleye will tackle Ezekiel Azi while Mubarak Ganiyu will have a face-off against Prosper Okonkwo in the boys’ semifinal matches.