First round action at the CBN Open was completed in the women’s field on Tuesday, with rising star, Oyinlomo Quadre, 2-time champion, Christie Agugbom and Rose Abu all easing through, while top seed, Blessing Samuel had to fend off a spirited challenge from CBN Junior champion, Omolade Aderemi.
Top seed Blessing Samuel dealt with a determined display from Omolade Aderemi to win 7-5, 6-4 and stay on track for a maiden CBN Open title. Omolade fought remarkably, but it was Samuel who was better in the crucial moments. The 27-year-old goes on to former Nigeria’s No.1, Omotayo Osewa next.
Elsewhere, Quadre got her campaign off to an impressive start, following a convincing straight-sets victory over qualifier, Serena Teluwo. The 16-year-old, who was given a wildcard for the event, registered a 6-2, 6-2 win to reach the second round, where she will face Osariemen Airhunwhunde.
Oyinlomo Quadre
Also, Christie Agugbom, a winner in 2008 and 2014, proved too hot for Oiza Yakubu, as she handed the youngster a double bagel. Agugbom had dispatched Yakubu in their previous encounter at the Rainoil Open in 2018, and had no issues doing so again. Up next for Agugbom is wildcard Favour Moses in the second round.
Bukola Olowu also advanced, with a 6-4, 2-6, 6-2 win over Iye Onoja. Onoja had squandered a 4-1 lead in the opening set, but recovered to clinch the second set and force a decider, which Olowu prevailed in. Elsewhere, Rose Abu ran past Pauline Ebijimi 6-1, 6-2 to join the second round train.
In the doubles event, the duo of Blessing Samuel and Christie Agugbom, both of whom are ranked No.1 in the doubles discipline, got their title-defense campaign off to a sensational start with a 6-0, 6-0 victory over Omolade Aderemi and Favour Moses to reach the quarterfinals.
Samuel and Agugbom will next take on the pair of Omotayo Osewa and Christy Mbadiwe, who comfortably defeated Afolarin Akosile and Folashade Ogunshola 6-0, 6-2.
Elsewhere, Oluchi Ozurumba and Patience Obebamhoin combined effectively to beat Blessing Anuna and Ronke Akingbade 6-4, 6-3, and will next face Stella Udokwelu and Abies Amadasun who rallied from a set down to beat Omolayo Bamidele and Jumai Mohammed 4-6, 6-2, 10-8.
Ozurumba and Obebamhoin celebrate their victory.
The young duo of Oiza Yakubu and Iye Onoja also advanced, following a 6-1, 6-3 dismissal of Ngozi Dirisu and Faith Sunday.
Oiza Yakubu and Iye Onoja during their match.
Aanu Aiyegbusi and Osariemen Airhunwhunde defeated Bukola Olowu and Rose Abu 6-4, 6-1, while Ramota Odeyemi and Temitope Fashanu produced a solid performance to beat Amarachi Nwokolo and Blessing Danjuma 6-3, 6-3
