Nigeria’s Enosoregbe, Emmanuel crash out

Nigeria’s Clifford Enosoregbe failed in his bid to make it to the semifinals of the Men’s Singles of the first leg (Futures 5) of 16th Governor’s Cup Lagos Tennis Championship, as he lost to Indian Sasi Kumar Mukund in the quarterfinal yesterday at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Onikan.

Enosoregbe lost the first set 1-6, but he forced himself back into the game to win the second set 6-3. He then lost concentration in the third set, which he lost 2-6.

Though Enosoregbe could not make it to the semifinals, the Edo State-born player received loud ovation from fans at the tennis club for his doggedness in the first leg.

“I feel great playing to the quarter-finals of the first leg of the Governor’s Cup this year. This is an achievement, which I will carry on to the second leg next week. What I need now is a little bit of rest after which I will begin my training for the second leg.

“Mukund was a good player. I was told he has been traveling round the world playing circuits, an opportunity that eludes many of us here in Nigeria despite the fact that we are equally good on court,” Enosoregbe, who entered the Governor’s Cup as a wildcard player said.

The other Nigerian, who played in the quarterfinal, Sylvester Emmanuel, also fought hard, but was beaten by Egypt’s Karim-Mohamed Maamoun in 2-6,7-5,1-6.

Meanwhile, Boy Westerhof of The Netherlands was unable to make it past the quarterfinals, as he bowed to tournament number one seed, Spanish Enrique Lopez-Perez in straight set of 6-4,5-7.

In the women’s singles, top seed, Valetini Grammatikopoulou of Greece continued her quest for glory as she defeated Bulgaria’s Julia Terziyska in straight sets of 6-4,7-6(2). Tadeja Majeric of Slovakia also won her game against Omar’s Fatma Al-Nabhani, who she defeated 6-0,7-6(2), just as Swiss’ Conny Perrin had an easy ride over Harmony Tan of France with a 6-1, 6-0 victory.

In the semifinal matches scheduled for today, Lopez – Perez will face Egyptian Maamoun, while Mukund will battle Gianni Mina of France in the men’s singles. Top seed, Valetini Grammatikopoulou has scores to settle with Conny Perrin in one of the semifinal games in the women’s singles, just as Tadeja and Deniz Khazaniuk of Israel will fight for the final ticket.