The tournament’s top seed, Skander Mansouri had to dig very deep to fend off a spirited challenge from Nigeria’s Emmanuel Idoko and reach the quarter-finals of the Lagos Open today.

Mansouri, seeking his 5th ITF Tour title this year, claimed a hard-fought 7-5, 6-4 victory to set up a quarter-final showdown with 7th seed, Takanyi Garanganga of Zimbabwe, who advanced after Joseph Imeh retired midway through the first set due to a knee discomfort.

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Takanyi Garanganga led 3-0 in the first set before Imeh retired.

Idoko, who had beaten Kenya’s Kibet Yego in straights in the first round on Wednesday, drew first blood, as he broke Mansouri in the opening game and quickly edged in front for a 3-1 lead. However, the Tunisian fought back, getting a crucial break in the 8th game for 4-4. But Idoko would falter while serving to take the set to a tiebreak and the top seed took advantage, breaking the Nigerian to clinch the set.

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Mansouri is ranked 306 in the world.

Mansouri would open a 5-2 lead in the second set and despite Idoko’s best attempt to find a way back in, the Tunisian held firm to secure victory.

Elsewhere, 2015 champ, Aldin Setkic stayed on track for a 28th ITF Tour title, following a quick 6-3, 6-1 victory over Indian qualifier, Yash Chaurasia. The encounter lasting just under 90 minutes. The 31-year-old Bosnian will next take on No. 2 seed, Aziz Dougaz of Tunisia, who came from behind to claim a 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 win over France’s Thomas Setodji in 1 hour, 59 minutes.

4th seed, David Pichler of Austria needed just 51 minutes to wrap up a convincing 6-1, 6-0 victory over America’s William Bushamuka and advance to the quarterfinals, where he plays Aryan Goveas, the 8th seed from India, who outclassed Kevin Cheruiyot of Kenya 6-3, 6-2.

Frenchman, Calvin Hemery also booked his spot in the quarter-finals for the loss of just two games. The 24-year-old had little trouble in dismissing Tunisia’s Aziz Ouakaa 6-0, 6-2.

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Calvin Hemery

Up next for the 5th seed is Zimbabwe’s Mehluli Sibanda, who bounced back from an opening set defeat to thrash Jatin Dahiya 5-7, 6-2, 6-0.