Kaduna based Teams Offikwu, which emerged champion of last edition Nigerian Communications Commission’s Tennis League, has started this year’s edition with an overwhelming win over Team Tech Vibe of Jos by 6-1.
Christopher Bulus and Henry Atsheye won the two men’s singles on opening day while Oyinlomo Quadri gave them a three match lead by beating Abies Amadasun in the ladies’ singles. Shehu Lawal and Atsheye combined to win the men’s doubles that gave the defending champions an unassailable 4-0 lead.
In Ado Ekiti, Team Goshen of Ilorin rallied from losing the opening singles to beat Team Yetade 5-2. Odeyemi Opeyemi gave the host team the two points by winning his two singles matches. In the first singles, Opeyemi beat Jinadu Owolabi 7-6, 6-4 and edged Joseph Adim 2-6, 7-6, 11-9 in the reverse singles.
Patience Onebamhoin won the star match of the Ado Ekiti tie by beating top junior, Omolayo Bamidele who was a quarter finalist at the CBN Senior Championship, 6-3, 6-3.
The Lagos tie between Team Ndoma-Egba and Team CBN Futures – a collection of the best juniors – turned out to be more competitive than was expected.
Marylove Edwards who was playing her last match for the team (she leaves for the USA Thursday to start her pro tennis career) gave the crowd, some performance to remember as she outclassed highly rated Osaremen Airhunwhunde of the Abuja based team 6-4, 3-2 (scratch) in the ladies event.
Augustine Stephen gave the CBN futures their second match win by outlasting Taiwo Owolabi with some consistent rallying.
Former national champion Thomas Otu, however, made the difference by giving his team (Ndoma-Egba) the opening wins on both days that helped propel them to a convincing overall victory.
The League, which is offering a total prize money of N23 million continues this weekend with matches in Ibadan, Port Harcourt and Lagos.