Last year’s runner-up, Loveth Donatus began her Vemp Open campaign in Abuja today, with a comfortable straight sets win over qualifier, Ramota Odeyemi.

Donatus, ranked 11 in Nigeria, registered a 6-2, 6-1 victory to advance to the second round, where she will play Ibironke Oladipo, who trounced Christie Nwankwo 6-0, 6-1.

Omolade Aderemi, who’s been impressive on the junior level this year, notably winning the CBN Junior Open Girls 16s title in May, eased to a 6-2, 6-2 win over Khadijat Salami, a qualifier.

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Omolade Aderemi

Elsewhere, Mary Udoffa overcame Blessing Anuna in three sets for a 6-1, 2-6, 6-1 win. Anuna had evened the match in the second set to force a decider, but her level dropped, leaving Udogfa to power through the decider and secure a place in the second round.

In other matches, Stella Udokwelu defeated Favour Moses 6-1, 6-4, while Temitope Fashanu came from a set down to beat Jumai Mohammed 4-6, 7-5, 6-1. Toyin Asogba outclassed Pauline Ebijimi 6-1, 6-0, while Bunmi Are edged Blessing Omotayo 6-4, 7-5.

Loveth Donatus was also impressive in doubles duties, as she partnered well with Oluchi Ozurumba to beat Grace Alabi and Rahima Bello 6-2, 6-1 and reach the quarter-finals, where they will face the duo of Toyin Asogba and Mariam Salami, who rallied from a set down to defeat Abies Amadasun and Jumai Mohammed 5-7, 6-3, 10-5.

Women’s Singles – 1st Round

Loveth Donatus bt. Ramota Odeyemi 6-2, 6-1
Stella Udokwelu bt. Favour Moses 6-1, 6-4
Omolade Aderemi bt. Khadijat Salami 6-2, 6-2
Ibironke Oladipo bt. Christie Agugbom 6-0, 6-1
Temitope Fashanu bt. Jumai Mohammed 4-6, 7-5, 6-1
Mary Udoffa bt. Blessing Anuna 6-1, 2-6, 6-1
Toyin Asogba bt. Pauline Ebijimi 6-1, 6-0
Bunmi Are bt. Blessing Omotayo 6-4, 7-5

Women’s Doubles – 1st Round

Bunmi Are/Khadijat Salami bt. Ngozi Dirisu/Faith Sunday 6-1, 6-4
Loveth Donatus/Oluchi Ozurumba bt. Grace Alabi/Rahima Bello 6-2, 6-1
Christie Nwankwo/Omotayo Osewa bt. Omolade Aderemi/Stella Udokwelu 6-3, 4-6, 10-8
Toyin Asogba/Mariam Salami bt. Abies Amadasun/Jumai Mohammed 5-7, 6-3, 10-5