Nigeria FI Futures Tombim Open: Nigerian stars, Emmanuel, Imeh in tough hurdles

Nigerians will begin their quest for a memorable outing at the Tombim Abuja Open Nigeria FI Futures on Tuesday, April 17 with the quartet of Sylvester Emmanuel, Joseph Imeh, Emmanuel Audu and Michael Michael all scheduled to face tough opponents in the first round of the $25,000 prize money championship.

Spain-based Emmanuel, who is sponsored by Rainoil keeps a date with Ronnie Schneider of the USA while Imeh, the top-ranked player by the Nigeria Tennis Federation confronts Dutchman Stephan Garritsen.

Emmanuel Audu faces a tough battle against Remi Boutillier of France just as Michael Michael, a wild card beneficiary confronts another Frenchman Jaimel Angele.

In some of the first round ties decided on Monday, top seed, Markus Eriksson of Sweden progressed to the second round with a 6-0, 7-5 win over Suraj Prabodh of India. Austrian second seed, Maximiliano Neuchrist also advanced to the second round following a 6-4, 6-4 win
over Kazuma Kawachi of Japan.

Indian trio of Aryan Govewas, Dalwandar Singh and Karunday Singh also moved to the second round with 6-4, 6-2, 7-6, 7-6; and 6-4, 6-3 triumphs over Kenyan Ismael Mzai, Frenchman Thomas Setodji and Swiss Jakub Paul respectively.

Seventh-seeded Joao Menezez of Brazil joined the second round train following a 6-1, 6-3 success against Spain’s Hugo Largo.

In the doubles, Imeh partnered Takanyi Garaganga of Zimbabwe to beat Deigo Fernendez of Chile and Adebola Obasoto of Ireland 6-1, 6-3.

Emmanuel and Namibian Tuki Jacobs defeated Diego Matos of Brazil and Kenti Takeuchi of Japan 1-6, 6-3 10-12 to also qualify for the next round just as top seeded Croatian duo of Ivan Sebanov and Matej Sebanov defeated their Dutch counterparts Stephan Gerritsen and Jelle Sels 6-4, 7-6 to move to also progress.

Caption: One of Nigerian stars for the Tombim Open, Joseph Imeh.