The main draw of the Tombim Abuja Open Nigeria Futures I Tennis Championship will serve off Monday at the National Tennis Center, Package B, Abuja Stadium.
Tournament Director, Ikani Agabi assured that all logistics for a flawless three-week of high-class tennis has been provided. He added that aside Nigerian players, there are over 80 players representing 28 countries taking part in the $25, 000 prize-money tournament which is the first of the three-phase ITF Pro Circuit event at the Nigerian capital.
In some of the qualifying matches decided, Nigeria’s Joseph Imeh defeated Dies Flores of Chile 6-0, 6-3 while Sylvester Emmanuel got the better of Nigerian-born Adebola Obasoto, who is representing Ireland, with a 6-1, 6-2 result.
Taiwo Owolabi bagged a 6-1, 6-3 win over Hardeep Sandhu of India to also keep Nigeria’s flag high but it was a different story for Emmanuel Idoko as he succumbed 6-3, 7-6 (4) to Indian Vinod Sridhar.
Clifford Enosoregbe failed to hold on to a 6-3 opening set win as he was eliminated by countryman Emmanuel Audu who took the second and third set 6-4, 6-4.
Mirko Martinez of Switzerland, Viachslav Glebov of Russia, Franko Feitt of Argentina, Kazuma Kawachi of Japan, Giovani Samaha of Lebanon, Alxandru Danes of France, Diego Matos of Brazil are some of the players that successfully navigate their way in the 1st round of the qualifying matches.
Canadian Brayden Schnur won the title last year by beating Fabiano De Paula of Brazil 7-6 (2), 6-4.
