LAGOS – Top seed Razafinmahatratra Zarah from Madagascar on Wednesday defeated Nigeria’s Faith Sunday 6-0, 6-0 to reach the quarter finals of the ongoing Lagos Governor’s Cup Tennis Championships.
Zarah told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that having qualified for the quarter finals, she was optimistic of making it to the finals.
The competition is holding at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Onikan.
Zarah, who won the 2010 Africa Junior Tennis Championships held in Abuja, said she was happy to be back in Nigeria to play in the ongoing Governor’s Cup.
”It’s good to be back in Nigeria. Although, I am playing in my second Governor’s Cup after I won the Africa Junior Tennis Championships in 2010.
”This year’s edition, unfortunately lacks the high number of top quality international players that adds glamour and stiff contest amongst players.
”However, I am delighted to be here because I have the finest opportunity to claim my first Governor’s Cup women singles title,” Zarah said.
NAN reports that in other women singles second round matches, Airhunwunde Osareimen rallied from a set loss to defeat Ronke Akingbade 2-6, 6-4, 6-3.
Also, Patience Onebamhoin ousted Loveth Donatus, 6-4, 6-2 to book a quarter finals ticket, while Anu Aiyegbusi beat Nosakhaire Esorae, 6-4, 6-3 to advance to the knockout stage.
In the men’s category, top seed of the tournament, Takanyi Garaganga of Zimbabwe, retired from his match against Nigeria’s Sylvester Emmanuel in the third set of the match.
He had won the first set, 6-4 before Emmanuel fought back and won the second set 6-3.
Garaganga retired from the match at 1-1 in the third set after feeling dizzy and struggling to cope with the heat.
”The heat was too much for me to cope with; this is because I am yet to acclimatise with the weather having arrived from a very cold terrain.
”I tried to play, but I was gradually dehydrating and losing consciousness, so I have to retire from the game for the sake of my health,” Garaganga said.
NAN reports that this made Emmanuel to advance to the quarter final of the men’s singles.
Emmanuel told NAN that he put in his best to the game.
”I fought hard from the start and during the second set, I did not give him a chance to control the game,” he said. (NAN)
