by Ian Marshall, Editor

Quadri Aruna, the top seed, beat Italy’s Antonino Amato (11-7, 14-12, 11-6, 11-5), Segun Toriola, the no.14 seed, accounted for China’s Wan Xinyang (11-13, 11-8, 5-11, 11-5, 11-9, 11-8).

Likewise, Kazeem Naziru, the no.26 seed, overcame Congo Brazzaville’s Abiodun Lawal (9-11, 12-10, 11-3, 11-6, 7-11, 13-11); Makanjuola Kazeem ended the hopes of India’s Abhishek Yadav (11-9, 11-4, 10-12, 11-4, 11-3).

Success for seeded players in the top half of the Men’s Singles draw but there were close calls. Thailand’s Supanut Wisutmaythangkoon, the no.10 seed, needed the full seven games to beat China’s Wang Shaobo (15-13, 7-11, 11-1, 10-12, 5-11, 11-9, 11-3), as did Romania’s Rares Sipos, the no.29 seed, when facing Nigeria’s Jamiu Ayanwale (9-11, 11-4, 8-11, 16-14, 5-11, 11-8, 11-2).

Hard fought wins, for the leading names as matters commenced, life was less fraught; players from the host nation found visitors from foreign parts in no mood for charity.

Additional to Quadri Aruna; Finland’s Benedek Olah, the no.3 seed, beat Emmanuel Augustine (11-6, 11-7, 9-11, 11-3, 11-4), England’s Sam Walker, the no.5 seed, overcame Orok Etim (11-5, 11-5, 11-8, 11-5). Likewise, Frenchman, Alexandre Robinot, the no.6 seed, accounted for Ismaila Akindiya (11-9, 11-6, 10-12, 11-3, 11-8).

The second round of the Men’s Singles event will be played later in the day, the second round and quarter-final matches on Saturday 11th August.

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