Nigeria’s former number one tennis star, Thomas Otu, yesterday showed why he is one of the stars to beat at the ongoing 46th CBN Senior Tennis Championship held at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abuja. The former champion showed the aggressive side of his game when he outclassed Akagha Samuel 4-1, 4-2 to qualify for the second round of the competition.

Playing in the opening game of the championship, Otu started like a house on fire, forcing Akagha to commit several unforced errors in the first set. Although Samuel tried to find his footing in the second set, the fireworks from Otu’s racket were too fierce for the young lad to contain.

Seeded ninth in the tournament, Otu will trade strokes with Egena Paul in the second round of the competition today. Paul defeated Okonkwo Paul 2-1 (4-1, 1-4, 5-3) in the first round.

In other games yesterday, tournament top seed Adeleye Daniel defeated wildcard entrant Mohammed Amir 2-1 (4-1, 4-1), Ajang Sylvanus dispatched Nuhu Orenyang in two straight sets (4-0, 4-2), while Morakinyo Akinwale stopped Agboola Oluwatobi’s second-round ambition by beating him 4-1, 4-5, 4-2.

In the women’s singles category, top seed Khadijat Mohammed defeated Adewusi Jesutoyosi 2-1 (5-4, 4-5, 4-1) to move on, while Endurance Ehigiemusoe came from one set down to beat Irimiami Meri 2-1 (4-5, 4-1, 4-2) to book her round of 32 ticket.

Matches continue today at Package ‘B’ of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.