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The battle for honours at the 47th Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Senior Tennis Championship intensifies on Friday as the tournament enters its decisive semi-final stage at the Package B Tennis Courts of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.
With finalists set to emerge across all categories, some of Nigeria’s leading tennis stars will be aiming to secure places in Saturday’s championship matches following a week of intense competition.
In the men’s singles event, top seed Abua Canice will take on Yusuf Abubakar in the first semi-final, while defending champion Emmanuel Micheal, seeded third, faces surprise package Jimoh Joseph in the second last-four encounter.
The women’s singles category will see top seed Mohammed Khadijat square off against Ogunjobi Success in one semi-final, while second seed Emmanuel Essien Bright battles fifth seed Bassey Etoro for a place in the final.
Khadijat booked her semi-final berth in impressive fashion after cruising past Godwin Favour 6-0, 6-1, while Ogunjobi defeated Udofia Mary 6-2, 6-0 to remain in contention for the title.
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In the men’s wheelchair singles event, Ajani Idowu advanced to the next round after overcoming Odunuga Pelumi in a hard-fought three-set contest, winning 2-4, 5-4(2), 10-3.
The women’s wheelchair singles competition is also set to get underway, with defending champion Usoh Andrea and top seed Nwaozuzu Chituru among the contenders expected to begin their campaigns later on Friday.
The doubles competitions have also reached the semi-final stage, with several high-profile partnerships still in the hunt for honours. Among the notable men’s doubles pairs are John David and Jimoh Joseph, Akagha Samuel and Uwandu Charles, as well as Emmanuel Micheal and Sylvanus Ajano. Top-rated duo Abua Canice and Mohammed Musa are also among the leading contenders.
In the women’s doubles event, top seeds Ogunjobi Success and Mohammed Khadijat have progressed to the semi-finals alongside second seeds Suwa Nenrot and Omotayo Blessing. Other pairs still in contention include Udofia Mary and Bamidele Abosede, as well as Godwin Favour and Kwange Emmanuella.
Meanwhile, second seed Adeleye Daniel has withdrawn from the championship despite reaching the semi-final stage. The highly rated player departed Nigeria on Thursday for an international competition in Italy, leaving the tournament without one of its leading contenders.
