With the qualifying rounds of the 47th Central Bank of Nigeria Senior Tennis Championship concluded at the Package B courts of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, attention now shifts to the main draws, which begin today.
According to the draws released by the organisers, players from the national rankings, successful qualifiers and wildcard entrants will compete in the men’s Round of 64 and women’s Round of 32.
In the men’s singles category, Abua Cannice is the top seed, while Adeleye Daniel is seeded second. Michael Emmanuel is seeded third, Danjuma Lucky fourth, Mohammed Musa fifth and Sani Inabo Yahaya sixth.
Meanwhile, 14th seed Thomas Otu, popularly known as “Star Boy”, who reached the quarter-finals last year, has vowed to improve on that performance by reaching the semi-finals this year.
Top seed Cannice also expressed confidence ahead of the tournament, saying the form that propelled him to the top of the rankings can help him secure his first CBN Senior Tennis Championship title.
In the women’s singles category, fourth seed Mary Udofia said she had addressed the shortcomings that affected her previous performances and is ready to challenge for the title.
Similarly, Toluwaloshe Agubiade, who featured in the singles and doubles events at the ITF Junior Tournament in Abuja earlier this year, expressed confidence about making a deep run in the championship.
In today’s fixtures, Cannice will open his campaign against qualifier Ureyang, while Timbra Godsgift takes on Kpum Later in another men’s singles encounter.
In the women’s category, top seed Kadilat Mohammed will face Timipre Maxwell, while second seed Bright Emmanuel Essien will battle Puriniman Bajo.
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