ABUJA – Antal Van-Der-Duim from Spain emerged winner at the finals of the Dayak Abuja Open on Saturday, taking Ilija Vucic of Serbia in 6-4, 6-2 at the ITF Men’s Singles Circuit.
The final match was played at the Tennis Centre of the National Stadium Abuja.
NAN reports that Dutch Van-Der-Duim won in the first week of the Tombim Abuja Open and in the second week he paired with David Pel to win in the doubles.
Van-Der-Duim is ranked 299 in the world and the number four ranked player in the tournament.
Speaking after the match, Van-Der-Duim told NAN that it was a great honour for him to be in Nigeria for the tournament and to win twice in the first and third week.
“It is really a great honour for me to be in Nigeria and win in the first and third week of the ITF Men’s Circuit here in Abuja.
“Though it’s quite unfortunate that I will be leaving tomorrow because am not used to playing in three straight weeks.
“But my perception about Nigeria has changed totally because back home we thought different but now I can go home and tell them Nigeria is a nice place to visit,’’ he said.
In the finals of the doubles the pair of Nicolas Meister and Perez Sanz defeated David Pel and Antal Van-Der-Duim in 6-3, 6-7 (11-9).
Meister told NAN that it was nice to be a winner twice in the doubles and it was not his effort alone but that of his partner.
“It is good to win again in the doubles last week and this week, I cannot take all the glory but to say I and my partner did well to make this happen.
“Today was a good match because we came out sharp and then closed the set in tie breaker and we stayed strong.
“Next week I hope to double up my game in the singles and in the double too,’’ the American said.
NAN reports that the second phase of the Dayk Open will continue on Sunday with the qualifiers and the main draws begins on Monday. (NAN)