41st Senior CBN Tennis Open: Iloputa out as Babalola advances

Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) junior tennis sensation, Godgift Timibra who is unseeded at the ongoing 41st CBN Senior Tennis Open created an upset on Wednesday when he sent

tournament's number nine seed Ikechukwu Iloputa packing with a 6-4, 6-4 scoreline.

Six-time winner, Abdulmumuni Babalola deployed his wealth of experience to outsmart Jebutu Emnanuel 6-1, 6-1 to advance to the quarter final as well. 

In another men's singles game, Nonso Madueke outclassed Leo Anthony 6-1, 6-0 while Christian Paul beat Oyo State's Adewale Samson 6-1, 6-3. 

Tournament's top seed, Sylvester Emmanuel triumphed over Tochukwu Eze, 6-4, 6-2 as number two seed Joseph Imeh stopped John Henry 6-3, 6-3.

In the ladies category, Oyinlomo Quadre, Bukola Olowu, tournament top seed, Blessing Samuel,  Blessing Anuna and number two seed, Christy Agugbom have also moved to the next stage of the competition. 

Meanwhile, women's single defending champion, Sarah Adegoke, won't defend the title due to other career engagements, thereby throwing the title open as a new champion must emerge this year.

On paper, it could be a two-horse race between Blessing Samuel who survived a scare from Omolade Aderemi and youngster Oyinlomo Quadre.

Caption:  Six-time winner, Babalola set to reclaim the CBN title he lost last year to Sylvester Emmanuel.