Former Nigeria number one tennis player, Shehu Lawal and highly rated women’s player Sarah Adegoke, Monday did not make it past the first round of the International Tennis Federation sanctioned Lagos International Governor’s Cup Tennis as they were bundled out of the competition.
Lawal was shown the exit door by a fellow Nigerian Sani Adamu who took the game at 2-6, 6-4, 6-3 in the Men’s Singles, while Adegoke who played in the Ladies Singles bowed to China’s Xi-Yao Wang. The Nigerian was beaten in two straight sets of 6-0, 6-0.
Shehu Lawal attributed his loss to weakness which prevented him from moving freely on the court.
“I got tired and was too weak to move around. But that’s tennis, you don’t always win. I guess this wasn’t my lucky day.”
Sarah Adegoke on her part said: “I lost to a better player and the fact that I have not been training hard worked against Me. My dad has been my only training partner and it has not been easy. I hope to do better next week, anyway.”
In other Men’s Singles first round played on Monday, Clifford Enosoregbe beat John Otu 6-1, 1-0 (retired), Christian Paul beat Eric Vehovec from Canada 3-6, 6-2, 6-1, while Ante Pavic of Croatia beat Edward Christopher Anefu of Nigeria 6-2, 6-0.
In other Ladies Single matches, Zarah Razafmahatratra of Madagascar beat US-based Nigerian lady Idia Amen 6-3, 6-2, while tournament No. 1 seed Tadeja Majeric of Slovakia beat Nigeria Blessing Samuel 6-0, 6-0.
Number 2 seed, Nina Bratchikova beat Alexandra Riley (USA) 6-3,6-3.
Bratchikova said after her game that: “This was my first game, I hope to take the matches as they come, hope to do well this year. I will be playing my next game on Wednesday.
