Bidding for a second consecutive ITF Junior title, Abayomi Philips came up short in the final of the ITF/CAT Circuit Junior L’Afrique De L’Quest, losing in straight sets to local favourite and No. 2 seed, Kodjo Charles.
Kodjo, playing in only his second final on the ITF Junior Circuit, held off Philips, 6-4, 6-4, on Saturday afternoon at the Stade Omnisports Eyadema in Lome.
The Nigerian had arrived Lome on the back of a sensational title-run in Accra, Ghana and did well to maintain the momentum, as he impressively ticked through the draw here to reach another final. Things however didn’t go well for the 17-year-old, as his Togolese opponent held firm throughout to claim victory.
Philips will now turn his attention to the second leg of this same event, which begins on Monday, 9 September.
