After three days of intense round-robin hostilities at the 14^th Edition of the CBN Junior Championship ongoing at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, semifinalists have emerged from the different age categories.

Yohanna Yakubu prepares to serve for an ace during his clash with David Edwards

In the final round of group matches played on Friday, from the Boys Under-14 Group A, top seed Yohanna Yakubu is out of the tournament after losing 9-4 to David Edwards. Edward’s opponent in the last 4 is Mohammed Jubril who still qualified despite losing 9-4 to number 2 seed Seyi Ogunsakin. Ogunsakin finished the group phase with a 100 percent record and he will face Arwal Jaji in the semifinals. Isreal Adeusi was Jaji’s victim.

Gabriel Inyang didn’t leave up to his top seeding as crashed out in the group stage

Another top seed that crashed out on Friday was Gabriel Inyang. Inyang competing in the Under-16 from Group A lost his second match of the tournament to Ganiyu Mubarak 9-6. Mubarak has looked comfortable in his opening three matches but would be having a feisty test in the semifinals against 2nd seed Joshua Maxwell who qualified from Group B despite his loss to David Ekpenyong in the final round-robin match. Ekpenyong’s semifinal opponent is Moses Olamilekan who finished second from Group A. Olamilekan beat Sanni Isiaku 9-4 to progress.

Moses Olamilekan will have a mouthful against David Ekpenyong in the semifinal

Meanwhile, Filipo Trombi was unavailable for his match against Silas Isaac. His place was taken by Monday Odey, a standy alternate who went on to win 9-5.

Lucky Danjuma powerful forehand couldn’t save him from defeat against Ogunsakin.

Also, the duo of Seun Ogunsakin and Lucky Danjuma made it through to the semifinals from the Under-14 Group A. Ogunsakin, the top seed and Danjuma faced off in their third match of the tournament with the former winning 9-3. Their opponents in the semifinals are John Nubari and Mohammed Idris respectively. Nubari conquered Henry Aina 9-7 in his third victory while Idris sent out Praise Ikeuba 9-1 from Group B.

Semifinal here she comes! Khadijat Mohammed raises her celebratory fist.

Meanwhile, semifinalists have also emerged from the Girls category. In the Girls 14 and Under, 1st seed Nene Yakubu has a last 4 date against Khadijat Mohammed while 2nd seed Favour Amaechi crashed out of the tournament. Amarachi Ezeh defeated Amaechi 9-4 and will now face Mary Azi who was defeated by Yakubu by the same scoreline in the semifinals.

Oiza Yakubu smashes in her return and grabs a semifinal berth

In the Girls 16 and Under, it is going to be a battle of the top seeds in the semifinals as number 1 seed Oiza Yakubu face 2nd seed Mary Udoffa. Both players didn’t have much to do against third-round opponents with Yakubu dispatching Salamatu Haruna 9-2 in Group A while Udoffa beat Faith Ameh who replaced the absent Destiny Okhinaye 9-1.

Salamatu Haruna faces Blessing Otu in the other semifinal match.

All semifinal matches are billed for Saturday, October 10 while the final is on Sunday October 11.

FULL RESULTS OF DAY 3

BOYS 12 and Under.

GROUP A

David Edwards beat Yohanna Yakkubu 9-4

Arwal Jaji beat Isreal Adewusi 9-1

GROUP B

Seyi Ogunsakin beat Mohammed Jubril 9-4

Victor Hemba beat Hussein Ayoola 9-1

Boys 14 and Under

GROUP A