Abuja – Nigeria’s Umaru Balami has progressed to the round of 16 of the International Tennis Federation (ITF) Men’s Singles Circuit of the ongoing Dayak Abuja Open.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Balami progressed after he defeated his opponent Duncan Mugabe from Uganda 7-5, 7-6 (4) in a keenly contested match.
The match played at the Tennis Centre of the National Stadium, Abuja, saw the encounter decided with a tie breaker after both players tied on 6-6 in the second set.
Balami told NAN after the match that it was a huge step for Nigeria compared to what was obtainable in previous encounters where Nigerian players were sent out of the tournament in the first round.
“It is a huge step for us local players and a good thing also that I won my match; this will take me to the next round of the tournament.
“Most of us were not lucky to get here except for Moses Michael, so I went in to give all my best and see what happens next and I thank God it paid off at the end.
“I will give my best and see what comes of it,’’ he said.
In other round of 32 matches, Nigeria’s Joseph Imeh lost to Antal Van-Der-Duim of Netherlands in two straight sets of 6-3, 6-2, while Alexander Igoshin of Russia defeated Egyptian Issam Taweel 6-4, 6-2.
Other encounters saw David Pel of Netherlands overpowered Franco Feitt of Argentina 6-1, 6-3, while Adrin Anderzejczuk of Poland sent Nigeria’s Edward Christopher packing from the tournament after a 6-4, 6-4 defeat.
Karim-Mohammed Maamoun from Egypt defeated Yan Sabanin of Russia 7-6, 6-3 to also progress to the round of 16.
NAN reports that 24 countries including Nigeria are currently participating in the event holding from May 2 to May 14 in Abuja. (NAN)
