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Lawal wins tennis title as Dala Hard Court serves off in Kano

By Editor
17 November 2015   |   5:42 am
SHEHU Lawal defeated Christopher Edward 6-3, 6-4 to clinch the 2nd AVM Atawodi Invitational Tennis Tournament over the weekend at the IBB Golfand Country Club, Abuja. Lawal went into the tie as the favourite having dumped defending champion, Moses Michael in the semifinal and the two-time CBN Open champion wasted no time in breaking his…

Shehu LawalSHEHU Lawal defeated Christopher Edward 6-3, 6-4 to clinch the 2nd AVM Atawodi Invitational Tennis Tournament over the weekend at the IBB Golfand Country Club, Abuja.

Lawal went into the tie as the favourite having dumped defending champion, Moses Michael in the semifinal and the two-time CBN Open champion wasted no time in breaking his opponent in the 3rd game of the first set and never looked back after that.

Edward had many chances to break back but failed to convert any of his 6 break points in the first set. The second set also witnessed a nearly break of serve in the 3rd game as the runner up gave away his serve with a double fault and a nervous forehand that went into I bottom of the net at15-40.

Unlike the first set, Edward managed to broke back twice2-5, and at 3-5, but unfortunately for he was unable to hold serves at 4-5 in the second and surrendered the set and the match with a tame backhand into the net. Though he showed some flashes of brilliance that saw him crushed the highly talented Emmanuel Idoko in the round of 16, Thomas Otu in the quarterfinal, and Henry Atseye in the semifinal, Lawal’s trademark booming serve, which makes him the current fastest server in Nigerian tennis, saw him emerged as a deserving champion.

Dignitaries that graced the final include Governor Idris Wada of Kogi State, who presented the winner’s trophy, Air Vice Marshal Atawodi, the sponsor, who on his part acknowledged the quality displayed with a promise to increase the prize money from next edition.

NTF President Engr. Sani Ndanusa disclosed that the tournament will be elevated to Masters due to its very high standard. Meanwhile, the best of Nigerian tennis is expected to be on display all week as the Main Draw for the 2015 Dala Hard Court Tennis Championship serves off Monday at the Kano Tennis Club with mouth-watering prizes for the top finishers.

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