Team Tombim wallops Team Offikwu as opening tie ends

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.