Uche Oparaoji, the tournament’s 3rd seed, kick-started his Rainoil Open campaign with a very comfortable victory over Stephen Augustine in Lagos today.
Oparaoji, looking to better his Dala Hard Court semifinal run this week, dropped just a game in a 6-0, 6-1 victory over his 51st-ranked opponent. Up next for the 22-year-old is either Isiaka Toriola or Wilson Igbinovia, both of whom are qualifiers.
Emmanuel Paul made light work of 16th seed, Henry John, winning 6-2, 6-3 to make the progress. On Court 6, it wasn’t as easy for 7th seed, Oche Adehi, who had to go through two tight sets before prevailing in the third set for a 7-6(5), 6-7(5), 6-2 victory over Tochukwu Ezeh.
Emmanuel Paul
Elsewhere, Matthew Abamu came from a set down to beat Ambrose Michael 4-6, 6-4, 6-2, while Isaac Attah crushed Ojobo Chekwuebe 6-1, 6-0.
9th seed, Ajang Sylvanus also advanced to the second round with a 6-1, 2-0 (rtd) win over Kayode Olawolu, who retired due to a hamstring injury in the second set. In other matches, John Dickson edged lucky loser, Michael Ayoola 7-5, 7-5, Michael Osewa beat Amos Michael 6-3, 6-3, and Peter Lawal outclassed Filipo Trombi 6-0, 6-1.
Michael Osewa in action.
14th seed, Joseph Iyorovbe overcame Samson Adewale in a third set tiebreaker to claim a 6-2, 3-6, 7-6(4) and set up a second round encounter with lucky loser, Opeyemi Odeyemi, who cruised past wildcard, David Okonkwo, 6-2, 6-0.
Joseph Iyorovbe came through in three sets.
Christian Paul thrashed Michael Okechukwu 6-0, 6-1, while Emmanuel Ikakah dismissed Ezekiel Adeleye 6-1, 6-1. Anthony Leo claimed a 6-2, 6-3 win over Richard Ogbu.
In the women’s doubles, the duo of Mariam Ali-balogun and Olamide Aluko combined impressively to beat Oluchi Igwe and Omotayo Osewa 6-2, 6-3 and move into the quarter-finals.
Mariam Ali-balogun and Olamide Aluko during their doubles match.
Wilson Igbinovia held a 6-4 first set lead against Isiaka Toriola, while Benjamin Chiwendu was 6-4, 1-6, 3-2 up against Clifford Enosoregbe before rain caused play to be suspended.
Men’s singles results – 1st round
Mathew Abamu bt. Ambrose Michael 4-6, 6-4, 6-2
Emmanuel Paul bt. Henry John 6-2, 6-3
Peter Lawal bt. Filipo Trombi 6-0, 6-1
Oche Adehi bt. Tochukwu Ezeh 7-6(5), 6-7(5), 6-2
Uche Oparaoji bt. Stephen Augustine 6-0, 6-1
Ajang Sylvanus bt. Kayode Olawolu 6-1, 2-0 rtd
John Dickson bt. Michael Ayoola 7-5, 7-5
Isaac Attah bt. Ojobo Chekwube 6-1, 6-0
Michael Osewa bt. Amos Michael 6-3, 6-3
Joseph Iyorovbe bt. Samson Adewale 6-2, 3-6, 7-6(4)
Anthony Leo bt. Richard Ogbu 6-2, 6-3
Christian Paul bt. Michael Okechukwu 6-0, 6-1
Emmanuel Ikakah bt. Ezekiel Adeleye 6-1, 6-1
Opeyemi Odeyemi bt. David Okonkwo 6-2, 6-0
Women’s doubles – 1st round
Mariam Ali-balogun/Olamide Aluko bt. Oluchi Igwe/Omotayo Osewa 6-2, 6-3
