More Nigerians make doubles’ quarterfinals

Nigeria yesterday got closer to the medals zone when two more of its players qualified for the quarterfinals of the doubles event at the on-going 38th ITF/CAT African Junior Tennis Championship holding in Tunis, Tunisia.

Playing in the girls’ Under16 category, the pair of Adetayo Adetunji and Angel Macleod beat Nesrine Troubia and Sihem Sahli of Algeria 6-2, 7-5, while their U-16 boys counterparts, Martins Abamu and Timipre Godsgift, defeated Antoine Gbadoe and Jacques Sewavi of Togo 6-4, 6-7, 12-10 to make the last eight.

Nigeria is enjoying its best run in the doubles as the duo of Oyinlomo Qaudri and Charity Patrick had earlier earned their spots in the last-eight of the doubles in the girls’ Under-14.

The Nigerian team is also putting up a commendable show in the singles as Michael Oshewa beat Bruno Nhavare of Mozambique 6-2, 6-1 to progress into the last 16 of the boy’s Under-14, where he joins two of his compatriots in the last 16 of the singles.

Speaking on the performance of the team, Nigeria’s coach, Mohammed Ubale, said his players were finding it difficult to cope with the extremely cold weather, but he expressed confidence they would acclimatize as the tournament featuring 32 countries continues. .

“Most of our players are not used to the type of weather that is here because it is very cold, but it is the same for some of the other countries that are not used to cold weather.

“The players from South Africa and all the players from North Africa are not in anyway affected and you will see them playing their normal game but it is a different story for our players. It is not an excuse, but it is really affecting the players,” Ubale said.