Nigeria’s No. 1, Sylvester Emmanuel advanced to the semifinals of the Dala Hard Court Championship, following a rock-solid performance against Thomas Otu at the Kano Club today.
Emmanuel, who’s bidding for his third title at the event, defeated Otu 6-4, 6-4 to make progress.
Otu was bidding for a second Dala title this week after his triumph in 2017, but failed to contain Emmanuel, who carved out a decisive break in the 9th game of the opening set and broke again in the 1st game of the second set before going on to secure victory.
For a place in the final, Emmanuel will take on Nigeria’s No. 5, Uche Oparaoji, who defeated eased past Godgift Timibra 6-3, 6-2.
Elsewhere, defending champion, Joseph Imeh prevailed 6-3, 6-4 over Oche Adehi to remain on course in his title-defense bid. The 21-year-old, who hasn’t lost a set so far, will take on youngster, Musa Mohammed, for a place in the final.
Joseph Imeh
Mohammed, 17, brought Ajang Sylvanus’ impressive run to an end, with a fine 6-3, 6-4 victory over the qualifier. The teenager is on a good run of form, coming into this event in Kano on the back of a superb title-triumph at the NTF International Junior Championships in Abuja.
Musa Mohammed
In the women’s field, Aanu Aiyegbusi moved into her second straight semifinal on the national scene, with a straightforward 6-3, 6-1 victory over Blessing Anuna.
Up next for Aiyegbusi is defending champion, Blessing Samuel, who knocked out Ronke Akingbade 6-2, 7-5 to stay on course for a record-equalling sixth title.
16-year-old Oyinlomo Quadre, who’s No. 3 in the country, dropped only 3 games in a comfortable 6-2, 6-1 win over Osariemen Airhunwhunde. Up next for Quadre is Patience Onebamhoin, who defeated Loveth Donatus 6-1, 7-5. After easing through the opening set, Onebamhoin staved off Donatus’ challenge in a tricky set to move into the last four.
In the doubles, Sylvester Emmanuel and Clifford Enosoregbe defeated Oche Adehi and Emmanuel Idoko 6-4, 6-2 to reach the semifinals, where they went on to beat the duo of Ikechukwu Iloputa and Joseph Iyorovbe 6-4, 6-3 for a place in the final.
Clifford Enosoregbe (L) and Sylvester Emmanuel after their match.
Emmanuel and Enosoregbe will now face the pair of Albert Bikom and Joseph Imeh, who outclassed Henry John and Musa Mohammed 6-1, 6-2 to reach the final.
