Mubarak, Aminu shine as ITF Junior Tennis enters second week

Number one seed, Ganiu Mubarak, defeated Iyanuoluwa Taiwo 6-3, 6-4 on Monday in the second week of the ITF World Tennis Tour Juniors J30 in Ikeja.
Third seed, Oluwajomiloju Aminu, eased past Oghenekewe Mukoro 6-0, 6-1 in a dominant display that delighted spectators.
David Omozokpia beat fellow Nigerian Joel Michael 6-2, 6-1, while Ayomide Oduwaye edged Dayok Shimankinaan 7-5, 6-1 in a keenly contested match.
India’s Vyom Shah defeated Nigeria’s Victor Hembah 6-2, 6-2, while Olawale Gbolahan outclassed Israel’s Doron Hirsch 6-0, 6-0.
America’s Elliott Awomoyi claimed a 6-4, 6-0 victory over Tade Nzewi in another impressive performance.
Australia’s Abhik Khatry beat Heman Afaramai 6-2, 7-5, while Fego Ayetuoma edged Tiffany Oshodi 6-3, 6-4 in an exciting encounter.
The tournament’s second week has continued to thrill fans with remarkable displays from emerging talents.
The competition, which runs from November 8 to 15, offers junior athletes a chance to earn ranking points and gain vital experience.
The young players have shown strong passion and confidence, producing tightly contested matches and entertaining rallies.
Supporters praised the organisers for bringing top-quality junior tennis to Lagos and nurturing young talent.
The tournament is organised by the Tiger Tennis Foundation, founded by Paul Moses, to provide a platform for young players to showcase and develop their skills.
Mubarak expressed delight after his win, saying he was pleased with his focus and execution throughout the match.
“I’m really happy with how I played today. I stayed composed and stuck to my plan from start to finish,” he said.
He promised to keep giving his best in the remaining matches and stay focused on winning the title.
Australian 16-year-old, Abhik Khatry, also expressed joy after his hard-fought win, despite struggling with food poisoning.
“Honestly, I didn’t think I was going to win because I’ve had food poisoning, but I’m really happy I came through at the end,” he said.
He described Nigeria as a welcoming country, noting that his experience had been far better than he expected.
“Nigeria is a nice place. It’s not as bad as people think. I highly recommend people come and see it for themselves,” he said.
Khatry praised the quality of the Lagos courts, describing the clay surface as fun and enjoyable to play on.
He expressed hope of performing well in the second week and pushing himself to achieve the best possible result.
“It’s very hot and humid, and that’s challenging, but overall, it’s been a fun and positive experience,” he added.
Looking ahead, he said he was confident of finishing strongly, adding: “Hopefully, I can reach the finals and win if I play well.”
The tournament features talented young players from Nigeria and abroad competing for top honours.
The event continues at the Lagos Country Club, with champions set to earn 30 ranking points and trophies.
The finals are scheduled for November 15, with players expected to gain valuable experience and recognition.
(NAN)
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