Gov’s Cup Tennis: Enosoregbe Upsets No. 8 Seed, Poland Star, Smola
TAIWO ADELU
Clifford Enosoregbe (left) with Henry Atseye heading for Court 5 at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Onikan to play their men’s doubles game of the Governor’s Cup Lagos Tennis Championship on Wednesday’s evening
Nigeria recorded a major upset in the first leg (Futures 5) of the ongoing Governor’s Cup Lagos Tennis Championship when wildcard Clifford Enosoregbe defeated tournament’s number 8 seed, Maciej Smola of Poland in the second round match of the men’s singles played on Wednesday
With overwhelming support from fans at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Onikan, the Polish was no match for the Edo State born Enosoregbe who won the crucial game in 7-6(1),3-6,6-2.
The Nigerian was so elated picking the quarter final ticket and and being the only man standing among the home boys in the Governor’s Cup this year. He said: “The Polish guy was so tough. It is not easy playing him, especially being the number 8 seed of the tournament. I think I was able to beat him because I trained hard for the Governor’s Cup in Benin with my younger brother. As I look forward to my next match, I will keep calm, having at the back of my mind that I must win to keep the flag of Nigeria flying, ” Enosoregbe said.
Enosoregbe will now face number 4 seed, Indian Sasi Kumar Mukund in Thursday’s quarter final game.
Other Nigerian players who played on Wednesday were not so lucky as did Enosoregbe, as they were humbled out of the first leg of the Governor’s Cup. Boy Westerhof of The Netherlands defeated Henry Atseye in straight set of 6-1,6-4. Westerhof will battle Spain’s Enrique Lopez – Perez, the number one seed in the quarter finals. Lopez – Perez defeated Duncan Mugabe in 6-4,6-0 match.
Nigeria’s Edward Christopher Anefu retired due to injury in the second set of his match against Karim-Mohamed Maamoun of Egypt.
Meanwhile, top seed in the women’s singles, Valetini Grammatikopoulou from Greece justified her rating as she continued her quest for the ultimate trophy on Saturday’s final. She beat Indian Prarthana Thombare in straight set of 6-2,6-3. Number 2 seed from Slovakia, Tadeja Majeric humbled Dhruthi Tatachar Venugopal of India in 6-3,6-1 match.
Swiss Conny Perrin walked over Rosalie Van Der Hoek of The Netherlands, Alexander Riley was sent packing by Fatma Al-Nabhani from Omar in straight set of 6-4,6-0 game.
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