UNARGUABLY, the women’s singles final of the maiden Rainoil Tennis Open billed for Sunday, December 17 at the Clay Courts of the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Ikeja, would be the main attraction given the level of rivalry among the finalists.
Reason: Blessing Samuel and Sarah Adegoke have a score to settle aside the battle for who wins the star prize at stake.
Samuel who plays for Team Kalotari only last month spanked arch rival Adegoke of Team Offikwu in the ancient city of Kano 6-1, 6-2 to win the Dala Hard Court title for the fourth time.
Top seed and reigning CBN Senior Open champion, Adegoke, thrashed former national champion, Christie Agugbom 6-2, 6-1 in the semi-final, while Samuel claimed a 6-1, 6-3 victory over Patience Onebamhoin.
Adegoke before her semi-final victory had hoped for another showdown with Samuel in the Rainoil-sponsored competition, which has now become a reality as they will step on the courts today in Lagos to settle their differences with the winner going home with N350,000.
“I will like to play her (Samuel) again,” Adegoke, the 2014 Lagos Governor’s Tennis Cup women’s singles finalist had said when asked if she would like a repeat of their final meeting in Kano last month.
Meanwhile, Joseph Imeh and Henry Atseye will battle for the Rainoil Tennis men’s singles title and the star prize of N500,000.
Atyese enroute to the final eliminated top seed and Nigeria’s number one, Abdulmumuni Babalola before he conquered maverick Thomas Otu 7-6 (2), 7-6(4) in the semi-final.
Enterprising Imeh saw off Christopher Bulus 6-1, 3-6, 6-2 to book his fourth appearance in a final this year.
The Rainoil tournament produced a number of upsets that led to the ouster of the likes of Spain-based Sylvester Emmanuel and Ikechukwu Iloputa, among others.
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