National junior champion, Nene Yakubu and Nigeria junior international player, Gabriel Inyang will lead the line for today’s action as the first Azimuth Shipping Lines Tennis Championship continues at the National Stadium, Lagos.

National junior champion, Nene Yakubu and Nigeria junior international player, Gabriel Inyang will lead the line for today’s action as the first Azimuth Shipping Lines Tennis Championship continues at the National Stadium, Lagos.

Yesterday was the first day of action which saw Nene battled alongside Mary Benjamin and Blessing Akpan in the group B of the girls 12 while group A throws up meeting by the quartet of Esther Oni, Faith Adeusi, Peace Agbeje and Sarah Musa will also compete in round-robin format.

In the boy’s category, Favour Ekarika defeated Samuel Bamidele 9-4 while Giovanni Busanelli eased past Ilyas Alabi 9-2.

John Isaiah also bested Jade Nzewi 9-4 same as Benjamin Jeremiah who outplayed Henry Aina 9-2.

Rilwan Ojelade also goes through by beating Edwin Richard 9-3 and Seun Ogunsakin showed no mercy as he crushed his junior brother, Sayo Ogunsakin 9-0.

Speaking on the championship, the Azimuth Shipping Lines’ boss, Capt. Stephen Martins said: “The desire to take the game to a higher level is what is driving us to support Nigerian tennis in a big way because we expect the top players in this tournament not only to represent Nigeria at international stage but to also bring glory to our country by winning titles in Africa and beyond.”

One of the coordinators of the tournament, Temi Nzewi, hinted that the U-14 and U-16 will start today with the likes of Inyang, Oiza Yakubu, Omolayo Bamidele, Matthew Abamu, Maryam Alli-Balogun, Daniel Adeleye and a host of tested nation.