The 2024 WTT Contender Lagos witnessed impressive performances from top-seed players as they navigated the first round of the singles event at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall of Teslim Balogun Stadium.
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German Dimitrij Ovtcharov, the number one seed, faced a tough challenge from South Korea’s Kim Minwoo but emerged victorious with a 3-0 win (12-10, 11-3, 11-6), securing his spot in the second round.
Indian legend Sharath Achanta also had a successful start, defeating Ghana’s Godwin Alabi 3-0 (11-6, 11-5, 11-7).
In the women’s singles, defending champion Shin Yubin displayed her usual brilliance, defeating Indian player Archana Kamath 3-0 (15-13, 11-7, 11-4).
Other Indian female players, including Manika Batra, progressed to the second round after dominant performances.
Nigerian players Fatimo Bello and Offiong Edem faced off, with the younger Bello prevailing 3-2 (11-6, 11-13, 9-11, 11-9, 11-5) despite Edem’s higher rating. “It’s good to be in Lagos. This is just the beginning but a good one for me. I’m willing to do more and put in my best. Defeating Edem is a good one for me. She’s one of my senior players, and I believe it would put me in more form to do better in the next game,” an excited Bello said.
The Chinese duo of Yijie Ding and Zixuan Yao also advanced to the next stage of the competition.
Exciting matches await as the tournament continues in Lagos.
