…. I never knew that I can cruise to the next stage of the qualifying round- Jebutu
BY ADEYEMI ROBINSON-ADEFIOYE, LAGOS
Nigerian youngster, EMMANUEL JEBUTU, was the talk of the town following a 6-1,6-0 crushing of BHANU SUTHAR of India as the qualifying round of the LAGOS OPEN which served off Monday.
Making his debut at a senior international tournament, JEBUTU was at his best form brushing aside the ASIAN in less than an hour.
“I did not believe I could give somebody 6-1, 6-0 in a tournament of this magnitude, even though it’s a qualifying match. To beat an Indian in my first ever match in the Lagos Open is something I’ll love to cherish.
I’ll now focus on the second round of the qualifiers and hope to go even better in the next phase.”
While JEBUTU had a smooth sailing to the second round, it was not the best of performance from SYLVESTER EMMANUEL, the Nigeria Tennis Federation top-ranked player wobbled through to the second round with a 6-3, 6-1 win over compatriot GODSGIFT TIMIBRA.
The Port Harcourt-based KODIAN TENNIS FOUNDATION player showed some promises with EMMANUEL showing poor form as highlighted by the series of unforced errors.
The rustiness of the top Nigerian players was reflected in THOMAS OTU’S exit at the hands of EMMANUEL OCHE who won 5-7, 6-2, (14-12).
Other winners of the first round qualifiers are AMAUD SEWANOU of Benin Republic, DARRYL HALE of Great Britain, ALEXEY DUBININ of Russia, MOHAMMED MOHAMMED, MATHEW ABAMU both Nigeria,
The Women’s singles qualifiers were also played with Netherlands EMMA VAN POPPLE, SARAH ADEGOKE, AANU AIUEGBUSI, BLESSING ANUNA, SERENA TELUWO, OMOLADE ADEREMI among those that progressed to the next round.
The second round matches hold on Tuesday, while the Main Draws (Singles and Doubles) also start on Tuesday.
