Nigeria’s Canice Abua advanced to the second round of the NTF International Junior Championships yesterday following a straight-sets victory over Ghanaian sixth seed, Desmond Ayaaba, in Abuja.
Abua, who claimed the ITF Junior title last week, is bidding for back-to-back successes to stretch his win streak to six matches at the Nigerian capital.
He will face Rubi Toba, who outclassed Bulus Bulus 6-2, 6-0 in an all Nigeria clash.
Elsewhere, the second seed, Assil Boussayri of Morocco brushed aside Kumabo Kundams of India 6-1, 6-0 to set up a meeting with Nigeria’s Gabriel Friday. The fifth seed, Joshua Aji eased past Ghana’s Ivan Wularu 6-2, 6-2, while Wilson Igbinovia defeated Musa Sani 6-2, 6-3.
Also, homeboy Suleiman Ibrahim, a qualifier, was in superb form against Habila Haggai of Morocco, dropping just a game in a comprehensive 6-0, 6-1 victory to advance to the second round, while Ojo Fredrick was rock-solid against Friday Ismaila, winning 6-4, 6-4.
India’s Siddharth Tirupati suffered his second straight first-round defeat, as he was beaten 6-3, 7-5 by Nigerian qualifier, David Dawariye.
In the girl’s field, 3rd seeded Ivorian, Blanche Minet began her campaign on a good note, as she defeated Nigeria’s Joy Samuel in straight sets 6-0, 7-5. So also was French teenager, Iantsatiana Ratovondrahona, who made light work of Naomi Samuel for the second consecutive week, winning 6-0, 6-2 to stretch her head-to-head superiority over the Nigerian to 2-0.
