Osewa wins NNPC/Chevron Junior Tennis Masters Tourney

Michael Osewa was at his magnificent best at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Onikan, on Sunday when he defeated Akwa Ibom State’s Stephen Augustine 6-4, 7-6 to win the 17th NNPC/Chevron Junior Masters Tennis Championship.

Sunday’s victory was the first for the African number two U-14 player in the championship in the last three years.

Osewa, who lost to Augustine in their last seven meetings, broke the jinx this time, coming from 2-5 down to win the second set.

Speaking after the game, an elated Osewa praised his opponent for giving him a tough fight in the final.

The Ondo State-born youngster, who said he started tennis at age six, enthused, “I am so glad that I won the top prize this year because this is my first final in the last three years of participation and I really thank God for crowning my effort with glory.

“My aim is to become the number one star in Africa and move on to the ITF circuit. I am working towards it and I believe I will be there in a very short time.”

He praised the organisers for giving grassroots players the opportunity to hone their skills, adding that the Chevron junior championship was one of the platforms that would propel him to the level achieved by his idol, Novak Djokovic.

Also speaking on the game, Augustine said he found it difficult to explain what happened to him in the final.

“I was leading by 5-2 in the second set and before I knew what was happening, we were on 6-6. This is my first loss to Osewa in seven meetings and I want to say that I have learnt a lot form it,” he said.