6-time champion, Abdulmumin Babalola survived a scare from qualifier Gabriel Friday in the first set before going on to record a straight-sets win and advance to the second round of the CBN Open in Abuja on Tuesday.

Babalola overcame a sluggish start to beat Friday 7-5, 3-0 rtd. Friday had made the brighter start, hitting impressively to open up a 4-0 lead in the first set, but Babalola would battle back to level matters.

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Abdulmumin Babalola reacts after trailing 0-4 in the first set.

Despite the crowd cheering Friday on, the youngster couldn’t do much as Babalola broke in the 12th game to wrap up the set. The 34-year-old would assume full control in the second set, racing to a 3-0 lead before Friday retired due to injury.

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Gabriel Friday in action.

Babalola will continue his bid for a record-equalling 7th title when he next takes on Emmanuel Jebutu, who dispatched Benjamin Chinedu 6-2, 6-1.

Also, 3-time winner, Shehu Lawal was on song in his first round encounter, as he completely dominated Abubakar Saminu, a qualifier, to win 6-2, 6-0 and make progress. Up next for the 34-year-old is Isaac Attah who defeated Abubakar Gingiri 6-4, 6-2. 12th seed, Michael Chima sped past Stephen Augustine 6-1, 6-1 to set up a mouthwatering second round showdown with Thomas Otu, while former national champion, Clifford Enosoregbe beat George Abamu 6-0, 6-4.

Elsewhere, Joseph Iyorovbe and Linus Paul resumed their contest today with the score at 1-set all. Upon resumption, Iyorovbe went on to win the final set to register a 3-6, 7-5, 7-5 victory. Similarly, Charles Nwandu and Kareem Badmus also resumed play with a set win apiece, before Nwandu went on to win 6-1, 6-7, 6-3.

Other results

Ajang Sylvanus bt. Niyi Ibiwoye 6-0, 6-1
Tochukwu Ezeh bt. Abraham Olatunji 6-2, 6-1
Michael Osewa bt. John Ihesie 6-2, 4-6, 4-2 rtd
Ojo Oyelami bt. Michael Ayoola 6-4, 6-2
Michael Okechukwu bt. Ernest Osinachi 2-6, 6-3, 6-4
Samson Adewale bt. Odeyemi Ayobami 7-6(8), 7-6(5)
Jonah Samuel bt. Pius Lawrence 6-3, 6-0
Dickson John bt. Opeyemi Odeyemi 3-6, 6-1, 6-0
Emmanuel Sunday bt. Musa Sani 6-3, 6-2

In the doubles event, defending champions, Abdulmumin Babalola and Shehu Lawal made a strong start, defeating the pair of Emmanuel Jebutu and Tochukwu Ezeh 6-3, 7-6(4).

Joseph Imeh and Christian Paul combined brilliantly to ease to a comfortable 6-2, 6-4 win over the duo of Kayode Savage and Jonah Samuel, while Sylvester Emmanuel and Clifford Enosoregbe staved off a determined challenge from Godgift Timibra and David John to win 7-5, 4-6, 11-9.

Elsewhere, the teenage duo of Philips Abayomi and Gabriel Friday handed Ojo Oyelami and Solomon Mesagbor a double bagel.

Other first round doubles results

Anthony Leo/Michael Ambrose bt. Ridwan Morakinyo/Wumi Ogunsakin 6-2, 4-6, 13-11
Ikechukwu Iloputa/Kesiye Maxwell bt. Michael Osewa/Michael Olajimbiti 6-3, 6-2
Emmanuel Idoko/Oche Adehi bt. Idris Ibrahim/Ali Ibrahim 6-0, 6-0
Nonso Madueke/Albert Bikom bt. Musa Briamoh/Tosin Akinwumi 6-0, 6-3
John Otu/Tosin Abiodun bt. Jubrin Hassan/Idris Aliyu 6-3, 6-2
Sanni Adamu/Bala Musa bt. Benson Azuka/Michael Akinyeju 6-1, 6-0
Kareem Badmus/Joseph Iyorovbe bt. Taiwo Owolabi/Stephen Augustine 3-6, 6-3, 11-9
Samuel Akhaga/Charles Uwandu bt. Linus Paul/John Dickson 6-2, 7-6(5)
Michael Ayoola/Musa Sani bt. Henry John/Emmanuel Ikakah 2-6, 7-6(8), 10-4
Samson Adewale/Michael Okechukwu bt. Dauda Ayuba/Saidu Mohammed 6-4, 4-0 rtd
Chima Michael/Uche Oparaorji bt. Olaniyi Ibiwoye/Opeyemi Odeyemi 6-3, 3-6, 10-6
Thomas Otu/George Abamu vs Musa Mohammed/Emmanuel Sunday. 1 set all. To be completed on Wednesday.