Abuja – Moses Michael and Sylvester Emmanuel on Wednesday in Abuja crashed out of the ongoing 2016 Tombim Abuja Tennis Open in the quarter finals of the Men’s Singles Circuit.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Abuja reports that Michael was sent out of the tournament by the number one seed, Perez Sanz of Spain, after a 7-6(4) tie break.
In the game at the National Stadium, both players had tied 1-1 after two sets, beating each other 6-3.
Emmanuel was equally sent packing by number three seed Antal Van-Der-Duim from Netherlands 6-1, 6-4.
In other matches played at the same venue, Nicolas Meister of the U.S. defeated Simeon Rossier from Switzerland 6-3, 6-3.
Lenny Hampel of Germany took out Karim-Mohammed Maamoun of Egypt 6-1, 6-3, while Safwat Mohammed, the number two seed, had a tough time before beating Franco Feitt from Argentina 6-4, 7-6(5).
Speaking with NAN later, Mohammed said he was getting better every day, with some matches tougher than the others.
But he pointed out that he had tried to stay calm during his matches.
“I am getting better every passing day, and some matches are tougher than the others. But I try to keep my mind cool in my matches.
“So, when I saw I was having problems with my serve, I tried to correct my mistakes and that was how I won and I am now in the semi-finals stage.
“My opponent was good because he has some good shots and also sometimes he did a smart move to get out of difficult situations. But I managed the match well.
“In my next match I will try to play good tennis and I will do my thing and when I do that I always have the chance to win,’’ he said.
Also, Van-Der-Duim told NAN that he was really good in his first set and his service was good too.
“I was really good and my serve was good too. But in the second set, Emmanuel started playing better. However, I kept my level high.
“I took one break and it was enough to win the match. However, the tournament is great with the hospitality.
“But the sun is super hot and we are not used to it. The organisation is cool too,’’ he said.
NAN reports that the Open began on Saturday and will end on April 30.(NAN)
