MaryLove Edwards and Nonso Madueke at the weekend emerged champions of the 44th Central Bank of Nigeria Open Tennis Championship.
Playing in the men’s singles category, Nonso Madueke ran home with the trophy when his final opponent, Henry ATSEYE crashed and was unable to continue.
ATSEYE picked the first set at 6-2 while Madueke won the second 7-6 and they settled for a tie break. Madueke was leading 2-0 before ATSEYE retired.
Before getting to the final, ATSEYE had earlier beaten 3rd seed, Wilson Igbinovia, 6-4, 7-6, 6-4 in one of the two semi-final games while Madueke triumphed 6-2, 7-5 over Abayomi Philips.
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Playing in the women’s singles, tournament top seed, MaryLove Edwards defeated her much older opponent and seed 2, Aanu Aiyegbusi 6-3, 6-4 to make the greatest achievement in her tennis profession.
The 17-year-old player had earlier given this signal when she outclassed the defending champion and three times winner, Oyinlomo Quadre, 2-6, 6-2, 6-4 in one of the semi-final matches while Aiyegbusi stopped Oiza Yakubu 6-1, 6-1 in the second semis to reach the finals.
Speaking after Oyinlomo’s defeat, MaryLove said her victim must not give any excuse for having beaten her this while.
According to MaryLove, “nothing changes but the table switches. I have worked so hard to achieve this having come so close severally and missing it. This year, God said it is my turn. MaryLove paired Oyinlomo to win the women’s double title.
Oche Adei paired Wilson Igbinovia to win the men’s doubles title by beating the duo of Mathew Abamu and China Micheal, 6-3, 6-4..
However, Alex Adewale beat Wasiu Yusuf, 6-2, 6-7,7-5 to win the men’s singles wheelchair category while Kafayat Omisore defeated Oluwakemi Segun, 6-1, 6-2 to win the ladies singles category