Joseph Imeh, the tournament’s second seed, made a fine start in his title-defense bid at the Rainoil Open, with straight-sets victory over Lawrence Pius.
Imeh, playing for a second consecutive national title this week after his title-run at the Dala Championship, swept aside Pius 6-1, 6-1 to advance to the second round, where he will face Emmanuel Ikakah.
Joseph Imeh and Lawrence Pius greet at the net
Top seed, Emmanuel Sylvester, who made the semifinals last year, also eased into the second round with a comfortable 6-1, 6-0 win over Linus Paul.
Having claimed the 2019 CBN Open title in June, Sylvester will try to remain on course for another national title this year, when he meets Matthew Abamu in the second round.
Sylvester Emmanuel
Elsewhere, 4th seed, Thomas Otu claimed a 6-4, 4-1 (rtd) win over qualifier, Gabriel Friday to set up a second round encounter with Michael Osewa, while 5th seed, Musa Mohammed dropped just a game in defeating Ebuka Ezewoke 6-0, 6-1.
No. 12 seed, Clifford Enosoregbe returned to court today after a rain delay to complete his match against Benjamin Chiwendu, winning 4-6, 6-1, 6-3. Up next for Enosoregbe is David Dawariye, who defeated Kareem Badmus 6-3, 6-1.
Clifford Enosoregbe came from a set down to secure his first round win.
8th seed, Emmanuel Idoko thrashed John Ihesie 6-0, 6-1, while Godsgift Timibra handed Tobi Thomas a double bagel.
In the men’s doubles, last year’s finalists, Joseph Imeh and Christian Paul eased into the second round, following a 6-3, 6-1 win over Idris Aliyu Jibrin Hassan, while the duo of Oche Adehi and Emmanuel Idoko outclassed Anthony Leo and Ambrose Michael 6-2, 6-3.
Men’s singles – 1st round
Ayobami Odeyemi bt. Anthony Obekpa 5-7, 7-5, 6-0
Ismaila Adesina bt. Ikechukwu Iloputa 4-6, 6-2, 6-4
Wilson Igbinovia bt. Isiaka Toriola 6-4, 6-2
Clifford Enosoregbe bt. Benjamin Chinwendu 4-6, 6-1, 6-3
Emmanuel Idoko bt. John Ihesie 6-0, 6-1
Musa Mohammed bt. Ebuka Ezewoke 6-0, 6-1
Joseph Imeh bt. Lawrence Pius 6-1, 6-1
Sylvester Emmanuel bt. Linus Paul 6-1, 6-0
Emmanuel Leo bt. Suleiman Ibrahim 6-3, 6-4
Thomas Otu bt. Gabriel Friday 6-4, 4-1 rtd
Godgift Timibra bt. Tobi Thomas 6-0, 6-0
David Dawariye bt. Kareem Badmus 6-3, 6-1
Ojo Oyelami bt. Onyekwelu Chibuzor 6-0, 6-2
Chima Michael bt. Jibril Hassan 6-1, 6-0
Chinedu Iwuagwu bt. Ayobami Ajayi 6-1, 6-1
Albert Bikom bt. Idris Aliyu 6-1, 6-4
Endurance Ehigamusoe bt. Charles Uwandu 6-4, 6-4
Etido Udoffa bt. Jolly Joseph 6-2, 6-1
Men’s doubles – 1st round
Stephen Augustine/Gabriel Friday bt. Ayobami Odeyemi/Moses Paul 6-4, 6-0
Oche Adehi/Emmanuel Idoko bt. Anthony Leo/Ambrose Michael 6-2, 6-3
Joseph Imeh/Christian Paul bt. Idris Aliyu/Jibrin Hassan 6-3, 6-1
Obekpa Anthony/John Dickson bt. Henry John/Augustine Odeh 7-6(5), 4-6, 10-7
Samson Adewale/Okechukwu Michael bt. Ismaila Adeshina/Solomon Messagbor 6-2, 7-6(4)
Mathew Abamu/Chima Michael bt. Michael Ayoola/Kayode Savage 6-1, 6-3
Uche Oparaoji/Godgift Timibra bt. Tosin Akinwunmi/Braimoh Musa 6-0, 6-0
Sylvester Emmanuel/Clifford Enosoregbe bt. Wunmi Ogunsakin/Raymond Lumas 6-1, 6-0
Musa Mohammed/Ajang Sylvanus bt. Opeyemi Odeyemi/Ayodeji Omodara 6-1, 6-1
Isaac Attah/Kareem Badmus bt. Ganiyu Salami/Oyelami Ojo 6-1, 7-6(6)
Ganiyu Adelekan/Albert Bikom bt. Kesiye Maxwell/Linus Paul 4-6, 6-2, 10-8
George Osakwe/Paul Emmanuel bt. Jolly Joseph/John Otu 6-2, 6-4
Ikechukwu Iloputa/Joseph Iyorovbe bt. Tosin Abiodun/Olaniyi Ibiwoye 6-1, 6-4
Onyekwelu Chibuzor/David Okonkwo bt. Waheed Ibrahim/Ridwan Morakinyo 6-2, 6-4
Tochukwu Ezeh/Michael Osewa bt. Andrew Idoko/Richard Ogbu 6-4, 6-1
Emmanuel Ikakah/Charles Uwandu bt. Samuel Akagha/Chinedu 6-4, 6-1
