The Package ‘B’ of the Abuja National Stadium has been at the receiving end since last week at the 40th edition of the yearly Central Bank of Nigeria Open Tennis championship for senior men and women, which got underway, and became hotter yesterday when the main draw of two-week event served-off with the men and women singles categories.
Playing at the centre court, former champion and old horse, Shehu Lawal defeated Anthony Enebeli 6-1, 6-1, while Clifford Enosoregbe banked on experience to beat Akor Mathews 6-0,3-0 retired.
Also victorious was Henry Atseye who beat Chinwendu Benjamin 6-3, 6-2 as Thomas Otu had a6-2, 6-4 win over Peter Lawal. John Otu outclassed Ernest Osinachi 6-4, 6-4 even as Tochukwu Ezeh Smiled home with 6-1, 6-1 victory over Sulaiman Ibrahim.
The story is not different in the CBN women singles category where Gege Iveren who replace American based Angel Mcleod, became the first casualty as she lost 1-6, 2-6 to tournament seed four Oneamhoin Patience while seed five Aanu Aiyegbusi dismissed Oluchi Ozurumba with a 6-2, 6-0 win.
Meanwhile, the men’s singles defending champion, Abdulmumuni Babalola, who returned from the Davies Cup play-off and the women’s top seed/defending champion, Sarah Adegoke, were still busy smarting up to take their games before the heavy downpour disrupted proceedings.
Action is expected to resume today for the conclusion of the remaining first round matches before the start of the doubles events. It therefore means that each player will play two matches today.
