The GTFLifetime Athletic Open, an ITF Grade 5 hard-court tournament, begins in Accra, Ghana on Monday, 26 August, with five Nigerian youngsters featuring.

The event, which will run through to 31st August, has Abayomi Philips, seeded 5th, and Joshua Aji, competing in the men’s singles event, which has a main draw size of 32. In the women’s singles, 14-year-old Marylove Edwards, Serena Teluwo and Oiza Yakubu are in action.

On Monday, Abayomi will open against Togo’s Kossi Dogbefu, who qualified for the main draw as a lucky loser, while Joshua Aji takes on home favourite, Joseph Hammond of Ghana.

Serena Teluwo will also take to court on Monday against Nyanyuie Tomegah of Ghana in the women’s singles, as she aims to get off to a bright start.

IMG 20190404 WA00292

Serena Teluwo

6th seed, Marylove Edwards received a first-round bye and will now play either Tatiana Loglo of America or Valentine Talaki in the second round. Oiza Yakubu, who also received a bye in the first round, will square off against Carmen Kpadonou in round two.

The GTFLifetime Athletic Open is live from the National Tennis Centre at the Accra Sports Stadium in Accra, Ghana.