Sports
Babalola, Emmanuel through to Dala Hard Court semis
By Orkula Shaagee @shagcy | Publish Date: Nov 19 2015 9:37PM | Updated Date: Nov 19 2015 9:52PM
Shehu Lawal
Abdulmumuni Babalola won the battle of wits against perennial rival, Shehu Lawal to book a place in the semi-final of the 2015 Dala Hard Court Tennis Championship holding at the Kano Tennis Club, Kano.
Babalola’s decision to skip last week’s the NTF/Atawodi Top 16 tournament in Abuja- which Lawal incidentally won- seems to be paying off as he is just two wins away from carting home the top prize.
After enjoying a walk over on Wednesday, Babalola was expected to face his biggest test in Lawal and that was the way the things went as he was outplayed by Lawal in the opening set which he won in commanding fashion as he broke his opponent twice in succession in the second and fourth game of the opening set but Babalola level up paying Lawal back with two breaks in the second set to force a rubber decided.
Now at the positive edge of the psychological see-saw, the Ibadan-based left-handed Babalola was decisive in his approach at the final set hitting a stretch of winners to seal the game much to the surprise of the fans as Lawal had looked unstoppable having edged the top seed and defending champion, Clifford Enosoregbe in the first round.
Youngster Sylvester Emmanuel also produced a great display to beat 2013 CBN Open champion, Henry Atseye 5-7, 6-2, 7-6(3) in a fierce battle which lasted over two hours.
The semifinal places is completed by the duo of Moses Micheal and Thomas Otu who both posted wins over Emmanuel Sunday 6-2, 6-4 and Nonso Madueke 6-3, 6-4.
The Women’s Singles went the way of form as the No1 seed, Christie Agugbom defeated Blessing Samuel 7-6 (4), 6-3 to set up a final clash with second seed Sarah Adegoke, who advanced after Aanu Aiyegbusi retired in the first set with Adegoke leading 3-0.
The Men’s semifinal matches hold Friday while the final of both singles categories is scheduled for Saturday.
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