Egbeyemi, Amasiani renew rivalry as Okondiji loses out of semifinal place

Hard fighting and talented nine year-old Mohamed Okondiji from the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club lost out of a semifinal place despite a spirited effort and the loud support from his teammates. Okondiji was beaten by 10-year-old Basit Adepoju, in the last group match, which witnessed several long rallies.

Adepoju subsequently qualified for the finals beating Tertemir Ahenjir from Benue 9-3. He will meet Chubuike Amasiani, who dispatched David Orungbeja from the Ikoyi Club 9-1 in their match. 

There was an even closer escape for Benue girl, Eunice Iorlumun, who recovered from 0-5 down to beat Osaheru Osaime 9-8 to secure a semifinal place. 

Iorlumun said afterwards, “I just remembered how Nadal (Rafael) recovered from 1 -5 down in a match and decided I had to fight to do the same and it worked for me.”

Former rivals in the Boys 10 and under, Murewa Egbeyemi of Lagos and Chudubem Amasiani from Abuja have taken their rivalry to the Boys 12 and under where they are sure to face up in the star match for the grand finale today at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club. 

Egbeyemi, who outlasted Amasiani in the last junior tournament in April, takes on Joel Michael from Mainland Tennis Club, Lagos while Amasiani has David Orungbeja Damilola from the Calabar Sports Club to overcome.

The tournament is facing a rain delay but organisers are hopeful that all the matches would be completed in time for the grand finale scheduled to start at 1 pm today.