Samuel, Agugbom enter quarterfinals as Yakubu falters

Women top seed at the ongoing Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Senior Tennis Championship, Blessing Samuel yesterday cruised into the quarterfinals of the competition when she outstroked Omolade Aderemi 7-5, 6-4 in the women singles event. Number two seed, Christy Agugbom also recorded a two-straight win over up-coming CBN Junior Tennis champion, Oiza Yakubu, who is breaking into the senior ranks for the first time.

Yakubu, who was unlucky to have been drawn against the national number two seed in her first game, got her first baptism of fire when she was bundled out in two straight sets, 6-0, 6-0.

Agugbom faces Favour Moser in the quarterfinals, while Samuel will meet unseeded Omotayo Osewa in the round of eight.

Also in the women’s quarterfinals are Aare Bunmi, who meets Jumai Mohammed, while Mary Tenu-Michael will battle with tournament number five seed, Aanu Aiyegbusi

In the men’s category, Shehu Lawal yesterday defeated Abubarka Jaminu 6-2, 6-0 to join the men’s singles second round train where the top seed, Sylvester Emmanuel and seed two, Imeh Joseph are already waiting.

In the men’s doubles, men’s top seed, Sylvester Emmanuel paired with Clifford Enosoregbe to beat the duo of upcoming junior players, David John and Godgift Timibre in two straight sets. The men’s number two seed, Imeh Joseph and Christian Paul also beat the pair of Samuel Jonah and Kayode Savage 6-4, 6—4 to advance to men’s doubles round of 16.

In other ties, Ikechukwu Iloputa paired with Maxwell Kesiye to beat the duo of Osewa Michael and Olajimbiti Michael, just as Albert Bikom paired with Nonso Madueke to beat Tosin Akinwunmi and Braimo Musa.

Action will commence in that wheelchair category today.