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On
Tuesday, the second day of the ongoing National Open Tennis
Championship, in Port Harcourt, an upset was recorded as unseeded
Kehinde Alade put an end to the journey of highly rated Destiny Da
Silva.

Sixth seeded Da
Silva could not withstand the fire power of Alade who beat the former
national champion in straight sets of 6-3, 6-4.

Speaking on his
victory, an excited Alade said: “I was hoping that I would be able to
beat him when I saw that I had been drawn to play him. However, I
decided that I was not going to allow his status to intimidate me.

“When I was able to
win the first set, I knew that I could end it by winning the second and
that was what I concentrated on.” In other matches decided on Tuesday,
Amidu Abdullahi beat Kunle Maku 6-1, 7-6, while the tournament’s fifth
seed Clifford Enosoregbe defeated Tyav Tyolumun 6-3, 6-0.

Aliyu Umar also
advanced to the next round, but required three sets 2-6, 6-3, 7-6 to
end the tournament aspiration of Etido Udofa, while Albert Bikom
defeated Chimezie Onyejiala 6-3, 6-4 to qualify for the next round.

In the women’s
category, tournament’s fifth seed, Blessing Samuel sent Bridget Chidi
out of the championship in straight sets 6-1, 6-3 while Anu Ayegbusi
advanced to the next round after her opponent, Ronke Akingbade was
forced to retire due to injury.

Both players were tied at one set apiece, 2-6, 6-3, prior to Ayegbusi’s retirement.

Aminat Quadri also
beat Ogechi Eze 6-3, 6-3 to advance to the next round while eight
seeded Nosa Esorae had it easy against Folarin Akosile in a game that
ended under an hour. She won 6-1, 6-1.

Women’s defending
champion, Chidi Abbah also had an easy ride to the next round as she
overcame Osaremen Airhumwumde in straight sets, 6-0, 6-0.

Action continues
today with the commencement of the men’s and women’s doubles events. It
will however take a new format in accordance with the new regulations
of the National Tennis Federation.

Henceforth, players are to register separately to play in the
doubles events unlike in the past when a player is qualified to play in
the doubles as long as he or she is already in the singles draws.