The 19th edition of the Lagos Open Tennis Championship concluded on Monday, 21 October, at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Onikan.

The $100,000 tournament comprised events for players in singles and doubles over two separate legs.

The first leg, which took place from 7 to 14 October saw France’s Calvin Hemery and Sada Nahimana of Burundi emerge winner in the men’s and women’s singles, respectively. Tunisian duo, Skander Mansouri and Aziz Dougaz clinched the men’s doubles title, while Laura Pigossi of Brazil and India’s Rutuja Bhosale secured the women’s doubles title.

Hemery’s 6-1, 6-2 victory over Aldin Setkic in the first leg gave him his maiden Lagos Open title, having finished as a runner-up at the event in 2016. It was also his first ITF title since 2017 and 5th overall.

Calvin Hemery poses with his trophy

In the women’s singles, 18-year-old Nahimana, who’s Africa’s No. 1 junior player, ticked through the first leg draw in superb fashion before beating Laura Pigossi 2-6, 6-4, 6-3 in the final to claim her first ITF title. It was the youngster’s debut appearance at the Lagos Open.

Sada Nahimana receives the women’s singles trophy.

In the men’s doubles, Skander Mansouri and Aziz Dougaz claimed their 7th ITF doubles title as a pair with a 7-6, 6-3 victory over Zimbabweans, Benjamin Lock and Courtney Lock.

Skander Mansouri (L) and Aziz Dougaz pose with their trophies.

For the pair of Laura Pigossi and Rutuja Bhosale, it was a first ITF women’s doubles title, following a 4-6, 6-4, 10-7 victory over Sandra Samir and Prarthana Thombare.

Laura Pigossi and Rutuja Bhosale (R) receive their trophies

For the second leg, hostilities got underway on 14 through to 21. Calvin Hemery again reigned supreme; the Frenchman carrying the momentum from the first leg into the second to claim back-to-back titles. A 4-2 (rtd) victory over Aldin Setkic, whom he beat in the first leg, saw him secure his 6th ITF title as he ended his campaign in Lagos on an incredible high.

Calvin Hemery kisses his trophy

In the women’s singles, India’s Riya Bhatia, who made the semifinals in the first leg, went a step higher to reach the final of the second leg, where she defeated Nastja Kolar of Slovenia 7-5, 1-6, 6-3 to secure her first ITF title in two years and 3rd overall on the ITF Tour.

Riya Bhatia receives the winner’s trophy

Zimbabwean brothers, Benjamin and Courtney Lock went one better in the men’s doubles final as they defeated Aryan Goveas and Williams Bushamuka 6-4, 6-4 for their 5th ITF doubles title this year.

The Locks with their trophy.

The second leg women’s doubles final was a repeat of the first leg’s final. Again, Laura Pigossi and Rutuja Bhosale prevailed, edging the Egyptian-Indian pair of Sandra Samir and Prarthana Thombare 6-3, 6-7, 10-6 to claim their 2nd ITF doubles crown and cap off a memorable fortnight of partnership in Lagos.