Actions began in the 2024 WTT Contender Lagos ongoing at the Sir Molade Okoya Thomas Indoor Sports Hall of the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Surulere, Lagos where dozens of players around the world are competing for a $80,000 grand prize and accumulate ranking points.

After day one of the tournament on Wednesday, matches are already taking shape. China is currently dominating the tournament so far and Chinese players have won every match they participated in.

Some players have shared their reactions from day one of the tournament including Chinese Mixed Doubles duo of Xu Huiyao and Luo Jiecheng, who said, “It’s our first time in Nigeria and we find the people very welcoming and the atmosphere very good.

“We started from the qualification match, but also one by one to fight the opponent. Indeed, in the game, we encountered certain difficulties. However, we used our perseverance and skills in training to win this game, and we are very happy, and then also for us in the next game we can be better prepared,” they said.

The duo are in the round of 16 of the Mixed Doubles event where they will face the Ghanaian duo of Cynthia Kwabi and Emmanuel Commey.

“I am proud to be here in Lagos playing the WTT Contender as this is my second time at the event and I have just won my first match in the qualifying round 3-0 and I’m very happy,” said Ghana’s Antwi Francis, who was defeated 3-0 by China’s Kang Youde in the Men’s Singles qualifying round two.

“I am very proud to be here to play such a nice event,” he added.

Nigerian youngster Mustapha Mustapha, who is the Men’s Singles round of 32 following a 3-1 win over Ghana’s Israel Aklie, said, “This is my second time competing in the WTT contender Lagos, last year I lost at the first round of the qualifying draw and I told myself next year it has to be better.

“I couldn’t lose in the first round last year and still came and lost in the first round. Even though I had a tight match against my junior brother, he’s also very good. I think it was a 50/50 match. It was just hard luck for me and I wish to do better.”

He will face China’s Fei Junhang for a place in the Men’s Singles round of 16.

“Due to the confidence I have, I believed I could win against him but fortunately after winning 2-0, I lost concentration and that was what gave him the advantage over me to meet up with me and level 2-2 but thankfully,” said Nigeria’s Abdulrahman Abudullahi.

“I have my coach by my side who calmed me down and told me where his weak points are as I was playing to his better position,” he added. Abdullahi defeated fellow countryman David Fayele in the Men’s Singles qualifying round two to advance to the last 32.

Egypt’s Mahmoud Helmy, who was defeated 3-0 by China’s Ning Xiankun said, “I think it’s my fourth or fifth time here in Nigeria. I love the atmosphere here. It’s like the event I look for the most every year. It feels very nice to play here, the atmosphere and crowd are amazing even when you play against Nigerians.”