Junior sensation – Oyinlomo Quadre and Sarah Adegoke as well as Nigeria’s number one star, Sylvester Emmanuel are among the players given wildcards as the mian draw of the 2018 Lagos Open Tennis Championship serves off today at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club (LLTC).
In the list of wildcards released by the organizers, others that made the list include Ireland-based Adebola Obasoto, United States-based Adesuwa Osabuohen and Loveth Donatus.
Despite missing out from getting the wildcards, Christian Paul, Mohammed Mohammed, and Paul Emmanuel fought their way to the main draw from the qualifiers.
To berth in the main draw, Christian Paul defeated Kenya’s Sheil Kotecha 6-2, 6-3, Mohammed beat compatriot – Emmanuel Idoko 2-6, 6-1, 6-4 while Paul Emmanuel edged out Michael Michael 6-7(4), 6-1, 6-2.
With his qualification to the main draw, Christian Paul believes he would exceed his quarterfinal berth in the tournament.
“I am confident that I can do better than my best being the quarterfinal round. I am in top shape and playing from the qualifiers has put me in best shape for the main draw. I am eager to do well this year and I am hopeful that I can do well and fulfill my dream of playing in the last four or final of the men’s singles,” Paul said.
However, former Super Eagles captain, Austin Jay Jay Okocha has lauded the organizers of the tournament.
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Okocha who was at the venue to watch exciting matches was received by the Tournament Director, Wale Oladunjoye. The ex- Eagles star believes the organizers have continued to raise the profile of the ITF circuit while urging the Local Organising Committee (LOC) headed by Chief Pius Akinyelure not to relent in their efforts to put Nigeria on the world map.
He however, urged Nigerians to come out to watch the best of tennis.