Group stage action at the Zenith Bank ‘Next Generation’ Junior Tennis Masters came to an end at the National Tennis Centre in Lagos on Thursday, with Jumai Mohammed claiming an all-important victory to book her place in the semifinals, while 17-year-old Musa Mohammed strolled to a top-spot finish in Group B of the boys category.
In Group B of the girls category, Jumai Mohammed and Toyosi Adeusi went head-to-head with a place in the semifinals on the line. But it was Mohammed who turned on the greater performance to beat Adeusi, registering a straightforward 6-2, 6-4 victory to secure her place in the semifnals. Still in the same group, Omolade Aderemi claimed top spot in the group, following a solid 6-4, 6-4 victory over Rebecca Ekpeyong- Ekpeyong’s third straight defeat.
In Group A, Omolayo Bamidele went past Favour Moses 6-3, 6-2 to finish top of the group, while Moses finished second. As a result, Bamidele will take on Group B second-placed, Jumai Mohammed in the semis, while Favour Moses faces Omolade Aderemi. Elsewhere, Chidinma Ezeh scored a 6-0, 6-3 victory over Destiny Okhinaye. The result however was inconsequential.
In the boys category, Musa Mohammed defeated Michael Osewa 6-4, 6-1 for his third straight victory and finished top of Group B, while Emmanuel Jebutu produced a sound display to beat Michael Ayoola 6-4, 6-3 and finish in second place.
Mohammed will, in the semis, square off against last year’s runner-up, Godsgift Timibra, who finished in second place in Group A, after he was beaten 7-6(3), 2-6, 10-4 by defending champion, Phillip Abayomi. Abayomi, who’s on track for a title defense, will fancy his chances of reaching yet another final, when he takes on Emmanuel Jebutu in Friday’s semifinal.
Meanwhile, Tochukwu Ezeh eased past Sani Musa 6-2, 6-1 for his sole group stage victory. However, both boys are already out.
Semi-final action is live from the National Tennis Centre in Surulere, Lagos from 9:00am on Friday, 14 June.
