Musa Mohammed, 17, made a winning start at the Vemp Open in Abuja today. The teenager, who’s ranked No. 6 in the country, defeated Linus Paul 6-3, 5-7, 6-1 to advance to the second round.

Mohammed, winner of NTF International Junior Championships a month ago, recovered from a tricky second set against Paul to secure the win in the third set. He next faces Albert Bikom, who defeated Ure Nuhu 6-3, 6-4.

Veteran, Lawal Shehu defeated Emmnuel Ikakah 6-4, 6-2, while Nonso Madueke knocked out Thomas Otu, who’s ranked No. 5, 7-5, 6-2, to set up a second round meeting with Charles Uwandu, who outclassed qualifier, Ambrose Michael 6-3, 6-2.

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Lawal Shehu

Elsewhere, Musa Bala claimed a 6-4, 4-1 (rtd) win over Peter Lawal, while Usman Kushimo also advanced to the second round, following a 6-3 rtd win over Canice Abua, who retired due to injury at the end of the first set. Michael Okechukwu defeated Oche Adehi 7-5, 6-2.

In the doubles, however, Oche Adehi combined brilliantly with Emmanuel Idoko to beat David Dawariye and Suleiman Ibrahim 6-2, 6-2. In another doubles encounter, Nonso Madueke and Lawal Shehu beat Michael Okechukwu and Thomas Otu 6-2, 6-2.

Men’s Singles – 1st Round

Lawal Shehu bt. Emmanuel Ikakah 6-4, 6-2
Musa Bala bt. Peter Lawal 6-4, 4-1 rtd
Charles Uwandu bt. Ambrose Michael 6-3, 6-2
Albert Bikom bt. Ure Nuhu 6-3, 6-4
Nonso Madueke bt. Thomas Otu 7-5, 6-2
Usman Kushimo bt. Canice Abua 6-3 rtd
Musa Mohammed bt. Linus Paul 6-3, 5-7, 6-1
Michael Okechukwu bt. Oche Adehi 7-5, 6-2

Men’s Doubles – 1st Round

Oche Adehi/Emmanuel Idoko bt. David Dawariye/Suleiman Ibrahim 6-2, 6-2
Isaac Attah/Musa Ndagana bt. Samson Adewale/Tosin Akinwunmi 6-4, 6-0
Nonso Madueke/Shehu Lawal bt. Michael Okechukwu/Thomas Otu 6-2, 6-2
Ikechukwu Iloputa/Joseph Iyorovbe bt. Musa Mohammed/Emmanuel Sunday 6-7(6), 6-4, 10-7