Canadian wins Tombim Abuja Open
@shagcy Canadian Brayden Schnur, has emerged winner of the third Tombim Abuja Open with a 7-6 (2), 6-4 win over Fabiano De Paula of Brazil.
The world no 308 secondseeded Schnur was put to a stern test in the semi-final by Zimbabwe’s Takanyi Garaganga as he fought back with a break on the tenth game in an encounter that eventually went to tie break which he won 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (2).
But there was nothing of such against De Paula, the world number 699, as the North American rounded off the match with a 6-4 win getting the only break in the match in the first game of the second set after the 12 games in the opening set went with the serves.
The week-long ITF Pro Circuit tournament dovetailed to the Dayak Championship Nigeria F2 Futures which served off with qualifying matches on Saturday.
Nigerians failed to raise their game in the Nigeria F1 Futures with Clifford Enosoregbe and Thomas Otu making it to the second round among the seven local players, but a fresh wave of optimism radiates the National Tennis Centre following the arrival of Calvin Hemery, a French player of Nigerian descent. His mum is from France and his dad, who is accompanying him, hails from Edo State.
Hemery, who disclosed that is open to play for Nigeria after his loss in the final of the second leg of the 2016 Lagos Governor’s Cup, is the top seed for the Dayak Championship and his imperious form is highlighted by his winning the USA F15 Futures on April 30 which saw him missing the Tombim Open due to flight schedule.
The right-handed doublebackhand Hemery was also a finalist in the doubles at the tournament held in Florida partnering Belgian Julien Cagnina. He is ranked world no 298 before his last triumph and could move inside the top 200 should he win the Dayak Tournament and the GSL Open Nigeria F3 Futures scheduled for May 15-20.
The final qualifying matches were decided on Sunday with Otu and Christian Paul securing passages to join Enosoregbe and Spain-based Sylvester Emmanuel as Nigerians in the main draw serving off today.