Second round action at the Vemp Open takes centre stage in Abuja on Wednesday, with players looking to secure quarterfinal spots.
Defending champion, Sylvester Emmanuel, Blessing Samuel, will again seek to stay on track in their title-defense bids, while young gun, Oyinlomo Quadre continues her quest for yet another title.
Emmanuel takes on qualifier, Musa Bala. Both men advanced to the second round after their respective opponents retired due to injury in the first round. While Bala led 6-4, 4-1 before Peter Lawal retired, Emmanuel was 6-1, 2-1 up before Michael Chima retired. Emmanuel’s win extended his winning streak to 7 matches. Can he keep it going?
Sylvester Emmanuel
Joseph Imeh and Ikechukwu Iloputa face off on Court 3. Imeh, who’s ranked No. 2 and a runner-up last year, is aiming to go one better this week. The 22-year-old was a 6-2, 6-2 winner over Joseph Iyorovbe in the first round, while Iloputa came through with a 6-4, 7-6(5) over Ajang Sylvanus. Who will prevail next?
Uche Oparaoji, looking to match his 2018 quarter-final run, squares off against Christian Paul, while former national champions, Clifford Enosoregbe and Shehu Lawal go head-to-head.
In the women’s field, qualifier, Toyin Asogba, who made light work of Pauline Ebijimi in the first round for a 6-1, 6-0 win, will try to reach the quarter-finals. However, she must stop Oyinlomo Quadre to do so. Quadre has gone unbeaten in national tourneys this year and will try to keep things that way on Wednesday.
Oyinlomo Quadre
Defending champion, Blessing Samuel takes on Osariemen Airhunwhunde. Both women met last week – in the first round of the Rainoil Open, which Samuel comfortably won 6-3, 6-1. Will Samuel again prove too good? Or will Airhunwhunde avenge that loss and dash her opponent’s title-defense hopes.
Blessing Samuel
Christie Agugbom and Oluchi Ozurumba will feature on Wednesday, with Aanu Aiyegbusi and Bunmi Are also meeting. Youngsters, Omolade Aderemi and Omolayo Bamidele will face off.
Wednesday’s Order of Play
