Sylvester Emmanuel continued his defence of his CBN Open title with a clinical 7-5, 6-0 victory over Oche Adehi in the third round today.
Emmanuel, who’s yet to lose a set so far, will take on Nonso Madueke in Friday’s quarterfinal. Madueke, the 9th seed, made light work of 7th seed, Emmanuel Idoko to win 6-3, 6-1.
Second seed, Joseph Imeh defeated Christian Paul 6-2, 6-3 to also reach the quarterfinals, where he will play 5th seed Emmanuel Sunday, who beat Clifford Enosoregbe 6-3, 6-0.
Joseph Imeh
Six-time champion, Abdulmumin Babalola also made it to the quarterfinals, following a 6-2, 6-3 victory over Joseph Iyorovbe and will next play youngster, Godgift Timibra. Timibra was rock solid in a 6-4, 6-4 victory over qualifier Dickson John.
Babalola is gunning for a historic 7th title.
Elsewhere, 2015 champion Thomas Otu defeated Albert Bikom 7-5, 6-3 to remain on track for his second title at this event. The 25-year-old will square off against 3-time winner, Shehu Lawal, who outclassed Uche Oparaoji 6-2, 6-2.
Thomas Otu
In the men’s doubles event, the second round, quarter-final and semi-final matches were all played on Thursday, with defending champions, Abdulmumin Babalola and Shehu Lawal keeping up their effective partnership to reach the semifinals. Babalola and Lawal, seeking their fourth consecutive doubles title here, were 3-0 up in the second round against Michael Okechukwu and Samson Adewale before the duo retired due to injury.
They would go on to beat Sani Adamu and Musa Bala 6-1, 7-5 to reach the semifinals, where they’ll play Uche Oparaoji and Michael Chima.
Also, Joseph Imeh and Christian Paul reached the quarterfinals after an impressive 6-1, 6-1 dismissal of Michael Ayoola and Sani Musa, and then advanced to the semis, following an equally impressive 6-1, 6-2 victory over the pair of Musa Mohammed and Emmanuel Sunday. They will play either the pair of Sylvester Emmanuel and Clifford Enosoregbe or Albert Bikom and Nonso Madueke.
Incomplete 1st round match
Musa Mohammed/Emmanuel Sunday bt. Thomas Otu/George Abamu 6-3, 6(9)-7, 11-9.
2nd Round
– Abdulmumuni Babalola/Lawal Shehu bt. Michael Okechukwu/Samson Adewale 3-0 rtd.
– Abayomi Phillips/Gabriel Friday bt. Ikechukwu Iloputa/Kesiye Maxwell 6-4, 6-2.
– Musa Mohammed/Emmanuel Sunday bt. Michael Ambrose/Anthony Leo 6-3, 6-4.
– Joseph Imeh/Christian Paul bt. Michael Ayoola/Sani Musa 6-1, 6-1.
– Sylvester Emmanuel/Clifford Enosoregbe bt. – Samuel Akhaga/Charles Uwandu 6-3, 6-0.
– Albert Bikom/Nonso Madueke bt. John Otu/Tosin Abiodun 6-3, 6-2.
– Sani Adamu/Musa Bala bt. Emmanuel Idoko/Oche Adehi 7-5, 7-6(3).
– Uche Oparaorji/Michael Chima bt. Joseph Iyorovbe/Kareem Badmus 6-2, 6-2.
Quarterfinals
– Abdulmumuni Babalola/Lawal Shehu bt. Sani Adamu/Musa Bala 6-1, 7-5.
– Uche Oparaorji/Michael Chima bt. Abayomi Phillips/Gabriel Friday 6-2, 6-2.
– Joseph Imeh/Christian Paul bt. Musa Mohammed/Emmanuel Sunday 6-2, 6-1.
– Sylvester Emmanuel/Clifford Enosoregbe vs Albert Bikom/Nonso Madueke – To be completed on Friday.
Semifinals
– Abdulmumuni Babalola/Lawal Shehu vs Uche Oparaorji/Michael Chima.
– Joseph Imeh/Christian Paul vs Winner (Emmanuel/Enosoregbe vs Bikom/Madueke).
