Defending champion, Joseph Imeh, Sylvester Emmanuel, and Thomas Otu are among those who moved into the men’s singles quarter-finals of the Dala Hard Court Championship in Kano today.
Imeh, looking to defend his title this week, claimed a 6-1, 4-1 (rtd) victory over qualifier, Isaac Attah, to stay right on track for a successful title-defense.
The 21-year-old was already cruising before Attah retired with injury. He next faces Oche Adehi who beat Peter Lawal 7-6(5), 6-0.
Two-time winner, Sylvester Emmanuel defeated Emmanuel Paul 6-4, 7-6(8) to also advance.
The tournament’s top seed, who’s bidding for a second consecutive national title after his CBN Open title-triumph in June, claimed victory over Paul after finding the edge in a tight second set tiebreaker.
Up next is Emmanuel is a quarter-final showdown with 2017 champion, Thomas Otu, who outclassed Christian Paul 6-4, 6-1.
Thomas Otu after his match
Elsewhere, qualifier, Ajang Sylvanus stunned 4-time champion, Lawal Shehu 6-1, 6-1 to make progress. Sylvanus, who passed four qualifying rounds to make the main draw, will next take on Musa Mohammed who had a walkover against Nonso Madueke. Godsgift Timibra went past Emmanuel Idoko in straight sets, winning 6-4, 7-6(4).
In the women’s field, Oyinlomo Quadre, aiming for back-to-back national titles after winning the CBN Open in June, swept aside Omolayo Bamidele 6-1, 6-1 to advance to the quarter-finals. The 16-year-old will now face Osariemen Airhunwhunde, who defeated Christie Nwankwo 3-6, 6-2, 6-4, for a place in the semifinals.
Oyinlomo Quadre
5-time champion, Blessing Samuel claimed a 6-2, 2-0 (rtd) victory over Bukola Oluwo to advance to the quarter-finals, where she will take on Ronke Akingbade, who dismissed Amala Nwokolo 6-1, 6-2.
Blessing Samuel is looking to tie Fatima Abinu’s record of six titles this week.
Elsewhere, Christie Agugbom, a 2-time champion, fell short in her opener, as she was beaten 6-3, 1-6, 7-6(1) by qualifier, Loveth Donatus. Donatus will next take on Patience Onebamhoin, who defeated Oluchi Ozurumba 6-4, 6-1.
Veteran, Blessing Anuna produced a solid performance to beat Bunmi Are 6-1, 6-0 and will next take on Aanu Aiyegbusi, who eased past Mary Udoffa 6-1, 6-2.
Blessing Anuna
In the men’s doubles, the duo of Albert Bikom and Joseph Imeh advanced to the semifinals after prevailing in both their first round and quarter-finals matches today.
The duo defeated Gabriel Friday and Michael Ambrose 6-4, 6-3 in the first round before defeating the pair of John Dickson and Linus Paul 6-1, 6-4.
Ikechukwu Iloputa and Joseph Iyorovbe also moved through two rounds to reach the semifinals, with the duo beating Emmanuel Ikakah and Charles Uwandu 6-3, 6-3 before edging Christian Paul and Shehu Lawal 6-0, 3-6, 10-6.
Men’s doubles results – first round
Christian Paul/Lawal Shehu bt. Gabriel Friday/Michael Ambrose 6-4, 6-3
Ikechukwu Iloputa/Joseph Iyorovbe bt. Emmanuel Ikakah/Charles Uwandu 6-3, 6-3
Sylvester Emmanuel/Clifford Enosoregbe bt. Isa Ali/Sani Yau 6-2, 6-0
Oche Adehi/Emmanuel Idoko bt. Ibrahim Ali/Ibrahim Idris 6-4, 6-2
Tosin Akinwunmi/Thomas Otu bt. Aliyu Idris/Jibrin Hassan 4-6, 6-2, 10-4
Henry John/Musa Mohammed bt. Chima Michael/Uche Oparaoji 7-5, 2-6, 10-5
John Dickson/Linus Paul bt. John Otu/Ayodeji Omodara 6-4, 6-3
Albert Bikom/Joseph Imeh bt. Ridwan Morakinyo/Wunmi Ogunsakin 6-4, 6-3
Quarterfinals
Ikechukwu Iloputa/Joseph Iyorovbe bt. Christian Paul/Lawal Shehu 6-0, 3-6, 10-6
Henry John/Musa Mohammed bt. Tosin Akinwunmi/Thomas Otu 7-5, 6-1
Albert Bikom/Joseph Imeh bt. John Dickson/Linus Paul 6-1, 6-4
