Top seeds Cruise On As National Wheelchair Tennis Tournament Begins

Ikpo IGBINOBA 

The big guns roared past their weak opposition on Monday as the National Wheelchair Tennis Tournament got underway at the National Stadium, Surulere.

Nigeria’s men’s number one player Alex Adewale who proved his mettle at the just concluded 20th National Sports Festival by picking gold crushed the dream of Kehinde Adetayo in two straight sets 4-0, 4-0. Adewale who is seeded number one for the ranking tournament reduced the lopsided first round game to a training session.

Similarly, Wasiu Yusuf who is the number two seed in the tournament dismissed Sunday Evidence 4-0, 4-0 to advance in the tournament. The easy run by the top seeds in the men’s category was replicated by the women.

Number one seed Kafayat Omisore gave Bisoye Afuape some tennis lessons before handing her a crushing defeat of 4-0, 4-0.Kemi Oluwaseun who altered the status quo by beating the country’s number one Kafayat Omisore to win the gold medal at the just concluded National Sports Festival overpowered her opponent Ruka Lawal 4-0, 4-0.Miss Oluwaseun seeded number two in the tournament has her sights set on the big prize.

Other games decided on Monday at the courts of the National Stadium, Surulere saw Sefiu Ojeleye running over Jeff Ademola 4-1, 4-0, Segun Bailey trouncing Rilwan Abubakar 4-1, 4-1, and Idowu Ajani advancing at the expense of Seun Akande.

The tournament, which will end on Thursday continues on Tuesday. Head of the Wheelchair Department of the Nigeria Tennis Federation, Lateef Shodipo said he was excited at the huge turnout of players from across the country.

According to him, “The attendance of players is very encouraging. With this level of enthusiasm from the players, I am certain that the future of wheelchair tennis in Nigeria is very bright”.