The 3rd edition of the Rainoil Open Tennis Championship gets underway on Friday in Lagos, with qualifying action in the men’s singles field.

64 men will go through two rounds of qualifying, with their sights set on a place in the men’s singles main draw. Only 16, however, will make it through. In the women’s field, qualifying action begins on Saturday.

Youngsters, David Dawariye, Wilson Igbinovia and Gabriel Friday headline Friday’s line-up.

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David Dawariye

Dawariye, who’s had a fine year as a junior, notably winning the boys 16 & under title at the CBN Junior Open in May and reaching his first ITF Junior quarter-final at the NTF International Junior Championships in Abuja this month, will take on Dele Ogunshakin in Friday’s first-rounder.

Wilson Igbinovia, a semi-finalist at the NTF International Junior Championships two weeks ago, will look to begin his qualifying campaign on a fine note, when he takes to court against Savage Kayode.

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Wilson Igbinovia

On Court 5, Gabriel Friday goes head-to-head with Ramat Mumuni, with a place in the second round on the line. Friday has also been impressive as a junior recently, having reached the semifinals – his first on the ITF Junior Circuit – at the NTF International Juniors. Can he bring that form into this national event?

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Gabriel Friday

In other Friday’s match-ups, Ibrahim Sulaiman meets Abuchi Okafor, while Elisha Olowogbile takes on Endurance Ehigamusoe on Court 5. Jimoh Taofeek and Tobi Thomas open play on Court 4.

Matches begin from 9:00am at the Lagos Country Club, Ikeja, Lagos.