Defending champions, Team Tombim, at the weekend signaled their intention of taking no prisoners in their bid to retain their title when they beat star-studded Team Offikwu from Kaduna 4-0 in the opening game of the NCC Tennis League at the Abuja National Stadium Tennis Centre.

Shortly after the Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung, served-off the 2016 edition of the competition on Saturday, Christian Paul, the highest ATP ranked player in Nigeria, defeated Sylvester Emmanuel, Nigeria’s number two star,  6-4, 6-2.

National champion, Moses Michael followed with a straight sets, 6-3, 7-5 win against Emmanuel Idoko.

In the ladies singles, the expected confrontation between number three-ranked Anu Aiyegbusi and Sarah Adegoke did not take place as Miss Aiyegbusi was indisposed. Her replacement, Amina Quadri put up a good fight but succumbed 4-6, 6-2, 6-2.

Albert Bicom, the national doubles champion pairing U.S.-based Sunday Emmanuel was expected to salvage a point with the men’s doubles but Team Offikwu also let that slip through their fingers as Team Tombim’s pair of Michael and Paul came from behind to snatch victory 4-6, 7-6, 10-8.