by Ian Marshall, Editor

However, there were surprises; in particular, the efforts of Nigeria’s Sukuarat Aiyelbegan attracted the attention.

Competing in three events, she ended the day unbeaten; first place in the mini-cadet girls’ singles group was as expected, she was the top seed. In the remaining disciplines she upset the pecking order.

In the junior girls’ singles event, after accounting for Ghana’s Matilda Fodu (11-6, 11-7, 8-11, 11-13, 11-5), she beat Congo Democratic’s Gloria Dianda, the no.4 seed (11-1, 11-1, 11-1). Meanwhile, in the cadet girls’ singles competition, following success in opposition to India’s Ananya Chande (11-13, 11-9, 10-12, 13-11, 11-9), she took a further liking to a Congo Democratic adversary by overcoming Julie Kayembe (11-1, 11-4, 11-5).

Defeat for Julie Kayembe, it was the same for colleague Lily Dinanga with whom she shared the no.2 seeded spot; likewise she suffered at Nigerian hands. She was beaten by Sadiat Alimat Akeem (11-3, 11-5, 11-1), a young lady who will celebrate her 11th birthday on Thursday 4th April and duly topped her mini-cadet girls’ singles group.

Notably for both Gloria Dianda and Lily Dinanga, it was their only defeat of the day; thus second place and progress to the main draw is still possible; for Julie Kayembe, progress is a forlorn cause. In her opening contest of the day she was beaten by Ghana’s Joanna Amissah (11-4, 9-11, 11-9, 11-7).

Performances to note as was that of the host nation’s Sandra Arhin, she ended the day unbeaten in the mini-cadet girls’ singles event, a situation that applied also to England’s Ruby Chan; the no.5 seed in the junior girls’ singles competition and the cadet girls’ singles top seed.

Play in the individual events continues on Thursday 4th April.