Sylvester Emmanuel of Nigeria failed to get past the first hurdle at the third edition of the Tombim Abuja Open following a 6-4, 6-3 loss to Alessandro Bega of Italy.

Playing his first major tournament at home since moving to the Pereriba Tennis Academy in Barcelona, Spain on a sponsorship by Nigerian oil firm Rainoil, the world no 1160 took the first game but trailed after the third game as Bega got a decisive break having earlier tied the game 1-1 on his serve. 

Emmanuel said, “I played well but he is a very good and experienced player. I’m happy with my performance. My serves makes him uncomfortable. I hope to improve on my game when next I play.”

Efforts by the highest ranked Nigerian player by the ITF to draw level were constantly resisted by the world no 311, and his (Emmanuel’s) course was neither helped by constant double fault which cancelled out his impressive turnout of aces on the Centre Court.

The third seed started the second set on a perfect note; breaking the Nigerian before racing to a 2-0 lead, but he was stunned as Emmanuel went 3-2 up after breaking Bega in the fourth game. However, the European got another break in the seventh game to lead 4-3. And that was enough to see Emmanuel’s resistance petered out which was highlighted by the third break which came in the ninth game as the Italian puts up a discipline display to navigate a tricky contest.

In some of the other first round matches played yesterday, Serbian fourth seed, Pedjan Krstin defeated Hugo Largo of Spain 6-4, 6-4 while Norwegian Viktor Durasovic edged Mateusz Smolicki of Poland 7-6, 5 -7, 6-4 in a tough tie just as Thomas Setodji of France outplayed Christopher Diaz-Figueroa of Guatemala 7-6 (2), 7-6 (5).

Indian Haadin Bava upsets eight seeded Fernando Romboli of Brazil 6-3, 6-4, and Sasi Kumar Mukund got the better of fellow Indian, Anvit Bendre 6-2, 6-4.

POSTED BY:OPUOMONI PRIYE

DATE:05/04/2017