Nigeria’s rising star, Marylove Edwards began her campaign at the Senegal ITF Junior – a hard-court Grade 5 tournament in Dakar this week on a very fine note.

The 14-year-old, who got a first-round bye just like every other player in the girls draw, eased past Sheilah Emerenciana of Belgium 6-3, 6-2 to move into the third round.

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Marylove Edwards (R) and Sheilah Emerenciana before their match

Edwards, seeded 7th, will play either Gambia’s Binta Camara or Amahee Charrier, the 10th seed from France, for a place in the quarter-finals. Camara and Charrier are in action on Tuesday.

Edwards’ last event was at the J4 Lome in Togo, where she made an impressive run to the semifinals. The youngster will be looking to put together a stronger week here, in Dakar, where she’s the only Nigerian in action.

Meanwhile, Emmanuel Jebutu and Abayomi Philips are in Maputo, Mozambique, playing for top honours at the Mozambique International Junior Championship- a Grade 5 hard-court event.

Jebutu got off to an impressive start in his opener, as he defeated local favourite, Jaime Sigauque, 6-3, 6-4 to advance to the second round. The 15-year-old Nigerian, who’s the tournament’s 8th seed, will next face Lucas Alexander of Mauritius for a place in the quarter-finals.

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Emmanuel Jebutu

Philips, who’s seeded 2nd, received a first-round bye and will begin his campaign on Tuesday against either Ahmed Mohamed of Egypt or Bostwana’s Mark Nawa.

Both Abayomi Philips and Emmanuel Jebutu competed at the just-concluded Lagos Open. While Philips made first round showings in both legs as a wildcard, Jebutu played in the qualifiers.