Top seeds, Philips and Quadre ease into J5 Abuja semis as Canice Abua falls short

There were no problems for top seeds, Abayomi Philips and Oyinlomo Quadre at the NTF International Junior Championships on Wednesday, as both youngsters eased into the semifinals in their respective fields. Meanwhile, for Canice Abua, it wasn’t the best day.

Abayomi Philips was well on course, leading 6-1 and 5-0 in the second set before David Dawariye retired due to injury. Philips will now face Wilson Igbinovia for a place in the boys singles final.

Igbinovia advanced after rallying from a set down to beat 5th seed, Joshua Aji 6-7(3), 6-2, 6-4.

Elsewhere, Canice Abua, who turned 15 today, had his stunning run brought to an end by 3rd seed, Emmanuel Jebutu, who prevailed 6-4, 6-2.

Abua, who claimed the first leg boys singles title, was bidding for back-to-back crowns here, but couldn’t contain Jebutu, who produced a rock-solid performance to avenge his semi-final loss last week and move into the last four for the second straight week.

Jebutu will next face Musa Mohammed, who outclassed 2nd seed, Assil Boussayari 6-0, 6-3. Mohammed, who finished as runner-up last week, hasn’t dropped a set so far this week and is well on course for another final-run.

In the girls field, Oyinlomo Quadre progressed to the last four, thanks to a comprehensive 6-3, 6-0 victory over Switzerland’s Jade Haller. The teenage Swiss had made the brighter start, breaking Quadre to go 3-1 up in the first set. But the top seed regained her feet to win the next 11 games on the bounce and close out the match.

Up next for Quadre is 3rd seed and last week’s finalist, Blanche Minet. The Ivorian sped past Oiza Yakubu 6-1, 6-2.

2nd seed, Marylove Edwards was also in brilliant form on the day against Jesutoyosi Adeusi. Edwards powered past her compatriot 6-0, 6-4 to remain on course for back-to-back ITF Junior titles here, in Abuja.

For a place in the final, Edwards will take on France’s Iantsatiana Ratovondrahona, who defeated Toyin Asogba 6-4, 6-0. It will be a repeat of the pair’s semi-final contest in the first leg, which Edwards won in straight sets.

In the doubles event, the Nigerian-Ghanaian pair of Musa Mohammed and Desmond Ayaaba advanced to the boys final, following a straightforward 6-3, 6-0 victory over last week’s champions, Emmanuel Jebutu and Abayomi Philips.

Mohammed and Ayaaba will now face the Nigerian-Moroccan duo of Gabriel Friday and Assil Boussayri who claimed 6-2, 6-1 win over Michael Osewa and Musa Sani.

In the girls doubles, Oyinlomo Quadre and Marylove Edwards dismissed Toyin Asogba and Naa McKorley 6-1, 6-2 to reach the final, where they will take on the duo of Jesutoyosi Adeusi and Omolayo Bamidele, who advanced to the final after a walkover against Jade Haller and Blanche Minet.

Haller felt sick after her singles match and had to withdraw from the doubles contest on medical grounds.