By Our Reporter
THE players left in both the men’s and women’s singles draw will go all out for a place in the final of the Rainoil Open on Saturday.
Joseph Imeh, aiming for a third straight final at the Rainoil Open, takes on 8th seed, Emmanuel Idoko. Both men have been in really fine form all week, with Idoko accounting for John Ihesie, Isaac Attah, Albert Bikom and 4th seed, Thomas Otu all in straight sets. His 6-1, 6-2 victory over Otu on Friday underlined his level of play so far. Can he add Imeh to the list and make the final?
Imeh has made the men’s singles final in each of the previous two editions, emerging winner in 2018. The 22-year-old has also reached the semifinal this week without losing a set and will now try to make it to yet another final. Both players met in the quarter-finals last year – an encounter Imeh won 7-6(7), 4-6, 6-3. Can he get one over the 8th seed again and make progress?
Top seed, Sylvester Emmanuel, who finished as a semifinalist last year, will have his sights set on a place in the final, when he faces Chima Michael on Court 3. Chima has conceded just a set so far- to Uche Oparaoji in the 3rd round. He was very solid against Ajang Sylvanus in the semis on Friday, winning 6-3, 6-4, and will try to maintain the intensity when he confronts Emmanuel, whom he beat 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 in the second round here in 2017.
Emmanuel claimed the 2019 CBN Open in June and is hoping to add the Rainoil Open title to his honours this year. Can he keep his hopes alive?
In the women’s field, Oyinlomo Quadre and Blessing Samuel meet for the second time this year. The pair squared off in the quarter-finals of the CBN Open earlier in the year, with Quadre prevailing 6-1, 6-1. Like Imeh in the men’s field, Samuel has made the women’s singles final in each of the last two editions, winning last year’s. Can she get her revenge and advance to another final? Or will Quadre, who hasn’t lost a match in national tournaments this year, keep her winning streak running?
Joseph Imeh, aiming for a third straight final at the Rainoil Open, takes on 8th seed, Emmanuel Idoko. Both men have been in really fine form all week, with Idoko accounting for John Ihesie, Isaac Attah, Albert Bikom and 4th seed, Thomas Otu all in straight sets. His 6-1, 6-2 victory over Otu on Friday underlined his level of play so far. Can he add Imeh to the list and make the final?
 |
| Emmanuel Idoko |
Imeh has made the men’s singles final in each of the previous two editions, emerging winner in 2018. The 22-year-old has also reached the semifinal this week without losing a set and will now try to make it to yet another final. Both players met in the quarter-finals last year – an encounter Imeh won 7-6(7), 4-6, 6-3. Can he get one over the 8th seed again and make progress?
 |
| Sylvester Emmanuel |
Top seed, Sylvester Emmanuel, who finished as a semifinalist last year, will have his sights set on a place in the final, when he faces Chima Michael on Court 3. Chima has conceded just a set so far- to Uche Oparaoji in the 3rd round. He was very solid against Ajang Sylvanus in the semis on Friday, winning 6-3, 6-4, and will try to maintain the intensity when he confronts Emmanuel, whom he beat 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 in the second round here in 2017.
Emmanuel claimed the 2019 CBN Open in June and is hoping to add the Rainoil Open title to his honours this year. Can he keep his hopes alive?
 |
| Oyinlomo Quadre |
In the women’s field, Oyinlomo Quadre and Blessing Samuel meet for the second time this year. The pair squared off in the quarter-finals of the CBN Open earlier in the year, with Quadre prevailing 6-1, 6-1. Like Imeh in the men’s field, Samuel has made the women’s singles final in each of the last two editions, winning last year’s. Can she get her revenge and advance to another final? Or will Quadre, who hasn’t lost a match in national tournaments this year, keep her winning streak running?
2nd seed, Aanu Aiyegbusi and 4th seed, Christie Agugbom go head-to-head for the other final spot in the women’s draw. It will be a repeat of the pair’s semifinal encounter in this year’s CBN Open, which Agugbom won 7-5, 6-1. Will the 37-year-old best Aiyegbusi again for a second straight Rainoil Open final? Or will the 2nd seed get her revenge and make progress?
The doubles title in both the men’s and women’s fields will be decided for on Saturday, also, with Joseph Imeh and Christian Paul facing Uche Oparaoji and Godgift Timibra for the men’s title, while Oyinlomo Quadre and Omolayo Bamidele face defending champions, Christie Agugbom and Blessing Samuel for the women’s title.
Saturday’s Full Order of Play
Source: ntftennis.com
No comments:
Post a Comment