End-to-end duel
Men’s Singles: Groups
Jide Ogidiolu has prevailed in a tight end-to-end contest against fellow Nigerian Jamiu Ayanwale.
With the opening two games going to Ogidiolu, Ayanwale formed the perfect response with back-to-back game successes of his own to draw the match level at 2-2. However, in a grandstand finish Ogidiolu won the deciding game by the narrowest of margins to seal a dramatic 3-2 victory (11-6, 11-9, 9-11, 7-11, 16-14).
Ibrahima Diaw off to winning start
Men’s Singles: Groups
One of his country’s leading players, Senegal’s Ibrahima Diaw has made a promising start to his qualification journey in Lagos. The 27-year-old was a class above his first challenger in the race for the men’s singles draw, seeing off Joseph Osedunkwu 3-0 (11-5, 11-4, 11-6).
Congo Democratic duo battle past Nigerian opposition
Men’s Singles: Groups
Christian Mbongia and Christian Ntumba Ngeleka have guided Congo Democratic to victory in the 5.20pm session on the opening day of qualification in Lagos.
Both players emerged successful against Nigerian competitors with Christian Mbongia beating Musa Mustapha (11-3, 11-8, 11-6) and Christian Ntumba Ngeleka triumphing over Mustapha Mustapha (8-11, 11-4, 11-7, 11-6).
Close contest but Michael Tauber prevails
Men’s Singles: Groups
Israel’s Michael Tauber has negotiated a difficult five-game battle against Nigeria’s Abiodun Alade Adegoke: both players gave it their all in an exciting match and with four games played the scores were level. But, there could only be one winner and that proved to be Michael Tauber (12-10, 8-11, 12-10, 11-13, 11-7).
Ivana Malobabic untroubled
Women’s Singles: Groups
Ivana Malobabic has come through her opening match in Lagos without any cause for concern. The Croatian player dropped a combined total of just 11 points across three games, condemning the host nation’s Sadiat Alimat Akeem to her second defeat of the day (11-2, 11-5, 11-4).
Mixed results for Algerians
Women’s Singles: Groups
In the two match-ups between players representing Algeria and Nigeria it was one win apiece for the two nations.
Katia Kessaci fought back from a 1-2 deficit to lead Algeria to victory over the host nation’s Vivian Oku (5-11, 11-6, 5-11, 11-5, 11-9) but the tables were turned in the other fixture as Nigeria’s Rashidat Ogundele held off a late comeback bid from Lynda Loghraibi (11-8, 11-4, 5-11, 7-11, 11-1).
Narrow margins
Under 21 Men’s Singles: Groups
Emmanuel Augustine has negotiated his Under 21 men’s singles groups stage fixture against Congo Democratic’s Gedeon Kassa by a 3-1 score-line but it wasn’t all plain sailing for the Nigerian: all four games were decided by narrow two point margins with the opening game producing a breathtaking 22-20 thriller (22-20, 12-14, 11-9, 12-10)!
Andreea Dragoman too strong for host nation competitor
Under 21 Women’s Singles: Groups
The favourite to top group no.1, Andreea Dragoman lived up to expectations in her opening group stage match after chalking up a 3-0 win.
Romania’s Dragoman looked highly impressive on the table as she came through her meeting with Nigeria’s Esther Oribamise with little to worry about (11-8, 11-1, 11-5).
Confident approach from Indian hopeful
Men’s Singles: Groups
India’s Soumyajit Ghosh has opened his men’s singles qualification account with a convincing victory, beating Ghanaian opponent Emmanuel Asante in straight games (11-5, 11-7, 11-5).
Elsewhere, Jide Ogidiolu caught the eye after coming back from 1-2 down to defeat Rilwan Akanbi 3-2 (11-5, 7-11, 6-11, 11-6, 11-5) in an exciting all-Nigerian affair.
Stronger showing from Igor Boulmo
Men’s Singles: Groups
Defeat in Under 21 action earlier in the day but Igor Boulmo has made a winning start to his men’s singles qualification campaign with the Cameroon player requiring just three games to see off Ghana’s Fredrick Twumasi (11-4, 11-8, 11-5).
Home derbies all around
Under-21 Men’s Singles: Qualifying
Nigerian athletes were on show facing off against each other as Taiwo Mati lost out to Akinwale Fagbamila 1-3, in a closely contested group match.
Samson Samuel had similar luck against fellow Nigerian Shamusi Agbaje, winning the first game and then losing out to the momentum of Shamusi (8-11, 11-4, 11-5, 11-3).
Egyptians gather form
Under-21 Women’s Singles: Qualifying
Marwa Alhodaby and Sarah Abousetta had stellar opening games in Lagos, as they came out on top with 3-0 wins each.
Sarah faced Congo Democratic’s Dacha Mongondi in a 11-4, 11-5, 11-5 match, while her compatriot Marwa was wrapping up a major win over host nation’s Oluwafunke Hassan (11-3, 11-3, 11-5).
Home benefits kick in
Under-21 Women’s Singles: Qualifying
Nigerians Ganiyat Aruna and Fatimo Bello had the crowd behind them as they both recorded victories over Ghanaian Hilda Agbottah and fellow Nigerian Anuoluwapo Ajuwon.
Ganiyat and Fatimo both had strong opening games, meaning their opponents never had time to recover, leading to 3-0 wins.
Abdel and Mudit start big
Under-21 Men’s Singles: Qualifying
Egyptian Abdel-Aziz Youssef had a swift victory over his friend and Congo Democratic athlete Gedeon Kassa (11-6, 11-2, 11-5), in a match that did a lot to establish Abdel’s prowess.
Meanwhile, Indian Mudit Dani had to work for his win against Cameroonian Igor Boulmo, with both players stretching every point to the limit (11-8, 14-12, 9-11, 11-9).
Mixed start for Nigerian women
Under-21 Women’s Singles: Qualifying
Host nation’s Rofiat Jimoh and Esther Oribamise had contrasting results to kick off the qualifying here in Lagos.
Indian Diya Parag Chitale defeated Rofiat 11-4, 11-4, 11-5, while Esther made short work of Congo Democratic international Davina Luzolo (11-4, 11-3, 11-2).
Qualification commences
Look below for the day’s fixture schedule and make sure to watch along live with itTV:
