The Rainoil Open in Lagos is at its business end, with only a handful of players left in the men’s and women’s draw. Quarter-final action in the singles event will take centre on Friday. Who will make the last four?
Joseph Imeh, who’s been in remarkable form, will seek to stay on track for a successful title-defense, when he takes to court against Timibra Godgift. Both men have yet to drop a set so far this week, and while Imeh moved through to the quarters with a 7-6(3), 5-1(rtd) over Christian Paul on Thursday, Godgift advanced after Clifford Enosoregbe, who was leading 2-1 in the first set, was defaulted.
Timibra Godgift
Imeh is presently on an 8-match winning streak and will look to keep it streak running.
The country’s No. 1, Sylvester Emmanuel will go head-to-head with Peter Lawal. Like Emmanuel, Lawal hasn’t lost a set and will try to maintain the momentum. But the top seed will present a tough test. Emmanuel was a semifinalist in last year’s event. Can he match that run on Friday? Or will the 24th-ranked Lawal cause a major upset?
Sylvester Emmanuel
4th seed, Thomas Otu and Emmanuel Idoko, seeded 8th, open play on Court 3. Idoko will attempt to make the semifinals for the first time in this event, while Otu, who’s seeking a first national title since his Dala Hard Court title-run in 2017, will aim to remain on course.
Thomas Otu is seeking his first national title in two years
The women’s quarter-finals pit Oyinlomo Quadre against Patience Onebamhoin. It will be a repeat of the pair’s semifinal encounter at the Dala Championship, which Quadre won 6-0, 6-0. Can the 16-year-old top seed simply replicate that same performance and move closer to a third straight national title?
Oyinlomo Quadre hasn’t lost a match in national tournaments this year.
Defending champion, Blessing Samuel will be on Court 5 against 7th seed, Ibironke Oladipo. Oladipo was in ruthless form in her second-rounder on Thursday, as she took out Amala Nwokolo 6-1, 6-0. However, Samuel, who’s looking to defend her title this week, will prove to be her biggest test yet.
Blessing Samuel
In other match-ups, second seed Aanu Aiyegbusi will take on Stella Udokwelu on Court 6, while last year’s runner-up, Christie Agugbom faces Omolayo Bamidele. In the men’s field, Chima Michael will do battle with Ajang Sylvanus.
Friday’s Order of Play
