Atseye, Madueke in doubles quarterfinals as organisers explain change in format

Henry Atseye and Nonso Madueke, who won the doubles title last year, yesterday qualified for the quarterfinals of the on-going Second Rainoil Tennis Championship by beating Uche Oparaoji and Chima Michael in three sets of 6-3, 3-6, 10-7. The competition is holding at the Tennis Section of the Ikoyi Club.

To qualify for the semifinals, Atseye and Madueke must beat the pair of Michael Michael and Ambrose Michael, who conquered Taiwo Owolabi and Emmanuel Sunday 6-3, 6-3 in the last round.

Also through to the quarterfinals are top seed, Sylvester Emmanuel and Shehu Lawal, who beat Shola Alalade and Richard Ogbu 7-7, 7-6 (5) to get closer to the cash in the N5.1 million prize-money event.

On their way to the semifinals, they will battle with Joseph Imeh and Christian Paul, who defeated Odeyemi Ayobami and Philip Abayomi  7-6 (5), 6-4.

In the women’s doubles, Christy Agugbom and Blessing Samuel will face Sarah Adegoke and Omolayo Bamidele, while Rachael Adunoye and Khadijat Salami defeated Olamide Aluko and Serena Teluwo 7-5, 6-4 to set up a duel with Ronke Akingbade and Mary Tenu Michael, who triumphed over Raleema Bello and Blessing Danjuma 6-0, 6-2.

Meanwhile, the organisers of tournament have explained that the competition’s format was changed to give room for more quality players.

Explaining that the former format was restrictive, Rainoil’s Managing Director, Gabriel Ogbechie said the tournament is featuring more top quality players hence the need to make it open.

Ogbeche, an ardent tennis follower, said, “The previous format of Tennis Masters was restrictive. It was meant for only the top eight male and top e
eight female players on the Nigeria Tennis Federation ranking.

“But since last year, we decided to open it up. This year we are expecting the top 64 male players as well as the top 32 female players on the NTF ranking to take part in it.”