Babalola, Emmanuel battle for CBN Open final places

Five-time winner, Abdulmumuni Babalola yesterday sets up a semi-final showdown with Spain-based Sylvester Emmanuel as the 39th Central Bank of Nigeria Tennis Championship reaches its home-stretch in Lagos.

Babalola, who at the start of the week was elected as the players’ representative for the board of the Nigeria Tennis Federation dispatched Nonso Madueke 6-3, 6-2 and is expected to face his biggest test in today’s last-four meeting with Emmanuel, the new Nigeria number one according to the latest NTF rankings.

Emmanuel, who was a finalist in 2016, was in top form as he coasted to a 6-2, 6-2 win over Emmanuel Idoko.

The other semifinal match will see Joseph Imeh takes on Emmanuel Sunday with Imeh ending the great run of youngster Christopher Bulus of the Aces Tennis Academy 6-3, 6-2 while Sunday edged 2015 winner Thomas Otu in a thrilling match that lasted over two hours 4-6, 7-5, 7-6 (4).

In the women’s singles, prime seed, Christie Agugbom coasted to a 6-1, 6-2 win over Omolayo Bamidele, a wildcard entrant and will face a familiar foe in Sarah Adegoke, the fourth seed triumphed over Aanu Aiyegbusi 6-1, 6-1 while second- seeded Blessing Samuel, a 6-2, 6-4 victor over Angel McLeod confronts kid sensation, Marylove Edward, whose powerful hits was too much for Deborah Gbadamosi to contend with in a one- sided match that ended 6-1, 6-0.

The 11-year-old was at the prestigious IMG Tennis Academy in the United States on a short training, week before this tournament and has been the surprise element but her great form will come under huge scrutiny against Abuja-based Samuel.

The final of the tournament which featured over 300 players is slated for Saturday.