Lawn Tennis Player
By Femi Solaja
Expectedly, Nigerian players are finding it extremely hard to cope with the experience of their foreign counterparts as some of them who played in the first round of the Main Draws of the first leg of the Governor's Cup were shown the way out Monday.
After the early morning rain delay, Nigeria's number one player, Shehu Lawal was a shadow of himself as he was defeated in straight sets of 6-0,6-2 by Spain's Borja Rodriguez Mantano at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Onikan.
Abdulmumni Babalola was sent out of the FCMB Plc and Etisalat Nigeria sponsored tournament by Italian Alesandro Petrone in another straight sets of 7-6, 6-4.
Kehinde Alade was taught a good tennis lesson by Alesandro Bega in 6-1, 6-1 game all in the Men's Singles.
Rita Obasogie was sent packing by German Michela Frlicka in 6-0,6-0 game, while London-based Adeyinka Elisabeth Thompson was stopped by Chanel Simmonds of South Africa in 6-0,6-0 match, while Sofia Dmitrieva of Russia beat Osariemen Airhunmwunde 6-1,6-0
Sanni Adamu, however, defeated compatriot Umaru Balami 7-6, 1-6, 7-5 to progress.
In other first round results, Zarah Razafimahatratra of Madagascar defeated Kyra Shroff of India 7-6,6-0. Israeli Ester Masuri beat Aramba Andrdy of India 6-1,6-2, while Greek Stamatia Fafallou defeated Nour Azzouz of Egypt 6-1,6-0.
Other matches of the first round will be decided today and other Nigerians players who are yet to taste action will have to battle against the odds facing
all the local stars in the opening round of the ITF approved tournament.