Canice Abua advanced to the second round of the NTF International Junior Championships, following a straight-sets victory over Ghanaian 6th seed, Desmond Ayaaba, in Abuja today.
Abua, who’s bidding for back-to-back ITF Junior titles after his victory last week, claimed a 6-3, 7-5 victory to stretch his winning streak to six matches.
Up next for the youngster is Rubi Toba, who outclassed Bulus Bulus 6-2, 6-0.
Elsewhere, 2nd seed, Assil Boussayri of Morocco sped past Kumabo Kundams 6-1, 6-0 and will play Gabriel Friday next. 5th seed, Joshua Aji eased past Ghana’s Ivan Wularu 6-2, 6-2, while Wilson Igbinovia defeated Musa Sani 6-2, 6-3.
Assil Boussayari
Qualifier, Suleiman Ibrahim was in superb form against Habila Haggai, dropping just a game in a comprehensive 6-0, 6-1 victory to also advance to the second round, while Ojo Fredrick was rock-solid against Friday Ismaila, winning 6-4, 6-4.
Suleiman Ibrahim in action.
India’s Siddharth Tirupati suffered his second straight first round defeat, as he was beaten 6-3, 7-5 by Nigerian qualifier, David Dawariye.
David Dawariye (L) came through against Siddharth Tirupati
In the girls field, 3rd seeded Ivorian, Blanche Minet began her campaign on a fine note, as she defeated Joy Samuel in straight sets. Minet, who finished as runner-up in the first leg last week, wrapped up the first set without any trouble before going on to secure a tight second set for a 6-0, 7-5 win.
Blanche Minet
French teenager, Iantsatiana Ratovondrahona made light work of Naomi Samuel for the second consecutive week, winning 6-0, 6-2 to stretch her head-to-head lead over the Nigerian to 2-0.
Elsewhere, Oiza Yakubu came from a set down to beat Serena Teluwo in three and advance to the quarter-finals. Having lost the opening set via a tiebreaker, Yakubu, seeded 5th, returned to take charge of the encounter in the second and third sets and seal a 6-7(4), 6-2, 6-3 victory.
Oiza Yakubu all smiles after her match win
Toyin Asogba produced a powerful performance to knock out Ghanaian 4th seed, Naa Mckorley, 6-2, 6-2.
In the boys doubles, the top-seeded pair of Emmanuel Jebutu and Abayomi Philips, who claimed the title last week, defeated David Dawariye and Wilson Igbinovia 6-2, 7-5 to move into the quarter-finals, where they will play the duo of Abdulraheem Isa and David John who beat Uche Emeruwa and Elisha Olowogbile 6-2, 7-6(5).
Emmanuel Jebutu (L) and Abayomi Philips
Joshua Aji and Rubi Toba outclassed Bulus Bulus and Habila Haggai 6-1, 6-2, while Michael Osewa and Musa Sani edged Azeez Similoluwa and Peter John 6-2, 7-6(4)
In other doubles matches, Desmond Ayaaba and Musa Mohammed dismantled Friday Ismaila and Kumabo Kundams 6-0, 6-1, David Ekpenyong and Ivan Wularu claimed a 6-4, 6-4 victory over Joseph Peter and Gadaffi Yakubu, Suleiman Ibrahim and India’s Siddharth Tirupati defeated Canice Abua and Michael Emmanuel 6-2, 3-6, 10-2, while Assil Boussayari and Gabriel Friday breezed past Ojente Azamata and Ojo Fredrick 6-0, 6-1.
