Table TennisChampions Thomas Otu and Melissa Ifidzhen on Thursday qualified for the semi-finals of the men and women’s singles events of the 38th Central Bank of Nigeria Tennis Championship in Lagos.
Otu endured a hard-fought 7-6, 6-7, 6-5 (retd.) quarter-final win over Joseph Ubon to book a semi-final ticket in the men’s singles event.
Otu’s win keeps him on course for a rematch of last year’s final with Moses Michael, who defeated Lawal Shehu 6-3, 6-2.
Otu will battle Sylvester Emmanuel, who defeated Sunday Emmanuel 6-3, 6-2 while Michael keeps a date with Abdulmumin Babalola, who triumphed 6-4, 1-6, 6-2 over Nonso Madueke.
A potential rematch of last year’s final in the women’s singles is also in the offing with champion Ifidzhen and Christy Agugbom advancing to Friday’s semi-final.
Ifidzhen, who was stretched by Oyinlomo Quadri in her first match, seems to have rediscovered her form as she swept aside Patience Onobamhoin 6-0, 6-0 while Agugbom triumphed 7-5, 6-3 over Ronke Akingbade.
Ebere Fortune and Blessing Samuel filled the last-four spaces with 7-5, 6-0 and 6-3, 3-6, 6-0 wins over Christy Nwankwo and Aanu Aiyegbusi respectively.
In the men’s doubles, Abdulmumin Babalola and Lawal Shehu defeated champions Albert Bikom and Sunday Maku 6-3, 4-6, 10-4 while Moses Michael and Christian Paul beat Albert Aniele and Ikechukwu Iloputa 6-3, 6-2 to advance to the quarter-final.
Adamu Sani and Otu also progressed with a 6-3, 6-3 win over Clifford Enosoregbe and Stanley Maduekwe.
Rose Abu and Princess Olowu edged out Loveth Donatus and Christy Nwankwo 7-6, 6-4 and they are joined in the semi-final of the women’s doubles by Blessing Anuna and Ronke Akingbade, who defeated Afolarin Akosile and Folashade Ogunshola 1-0 (ret).
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