Brazilian Menezes wins Tombim Open as Dayak Open serves off

@shagcy Joao Menezes of Brazil on Saturday emerged winner of the Tombim Open Nigeria FI Futures following a 6-2, 6-4 win over prime seed, Markus Eriksson of Sweden.

The seventh-seeded Menezes, who recovered from a set down to beat Indian Aryan Goveas 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 in the second round, the only game he dropped a set, was on top of his game leaving his European opponent with very few chances.

The feat makes the 21-year-old, right-handed double backhand player the first Brazilian to win an ITF Futures in Nigeria. It’s also the first time he is winning the Futures on the hard court as all his previous triumphs namely Brazil F7 in 2015, Ecuador F2 in 2016 and Spain F28 in 2017 have all been on his favorite clay court. He is now sure of moving some step high in the ITF ranking. He is currently the world number 500.

Meanwhile, the main draw of the Dayak Open Nigeria F2 Futures will server off today at the Abuja National Stadium, Package B with very few Nigerians participating, no thanks to the series of defeats of the locals in the final match of the qualifiers yesterday.

Christian Paul puts up a heroic display in the tournament, which is being bankrolled by Nigerian Tennis Federation President, Dayo Akindoju, as he defeated Argentine Franco Feitt 6-4, 6-1 to join the main draw.

However, it was a frustrating outing for Sylvester Emmanuel who lost 6-1, 7-6 to Alexis Klegou of Benin; same as Joseph Imeh who was narrowly edged 7-6 (8) 7-6 (4) by Dutch Stephan Gerritsen in a fierce duel that lasted almost two hours.

Clifford Enosoregbe also fell short of making the main draw after losing 6-2, 6-3 to Swiss Mirko Martinez.