17-year-old Musa Mohammed made it two wins out of two, while defending champion, Philip Abayomi and last year’s runner-up, Godsgift Timibra won their respective encounters to set up a mouthwatering round-robin final clash at the Zenith Bank ‘Next Gen’ Junior Tennis Masters in Lagos today. In the girls field, Chevron Junior Tennis Girls Under-16 champion, Rebecca Ekpeyong got knocked out, following a second defeat.

In Group A, Phillip Abayomi continued in his rich vein of form in Lagos, with a 6-1, 6-0 hammering of Sani Musa on Wednesday. Abayomi, who hasn’t dropped a set so far and is right on track for a title-defense, will take on Godsgift Timibra on Thursday in what will be a repeat of last year’s final to determine who finishes atop Group A. Timibra had condemned Tochukwu Ezeh to another defeat, with a 7-6(5), 6-2 victory. Ezeh and Sani Musa have lost both their round-robin matches and so, are out.

Following a second straight defeat, Tochukwu Ezeh failed to secure a semifinal berth.

In Group B, Musa Mohammed produced a spirited performance in the first set against Emmanuel Jebutu, saving two set points, and rallying from 1-4 down in the tie-breaker to clinch the set before eventually powering to a 7-6(5), 6-3 victory. Mohammed will next take on Michael Osewa who defeated Michael Ayoola 6-2, 7-6(6). Mohammed will need to beat Osewa to secure automatic passage to the semis. Also, if Emmanuel Jebutu beats Michael Ayoola, who’s already out, he could qualify. Group B is set to come down to an interesting final round-robin day contest.

In the girls category, Omolayo Bamidele was rock solid against Chidinma Ezeh, as she powered to a 6-3, 6-1 victory. Bamidele, who won the SNEPCo Futures Tennis Championship last month, is aiming for a second straight junior title. Elsewhere, Favour Moses eased past Destiny Okhinaye 6-2, 6-2. With Ezeh and Okhinaye now out, Bamidele and Moses will go head-to-head for a top-spot finish in Group A. It will be a repeat of the SNEPCo Futures Tennis Championship final.

In Group B, Omolade Aderemi defeated Toyosi Adeusi 6-4, 6-1, while Rebecca Ekpeyong was well-beaten by Jumai Mohammed 6-1, 6-1. The defeat means Rebecca Ekpeyong is out having failed to secure a match win. Adeusi and Jumai Mohammed will square off in the final group stage match on Thursday to determine who qualifies.