Top seeds, Stella Udokwelu and Ikechukwu Iloputa on Monday advanced to the second round of the 4th VEMP National Open Tennis Championship in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the tournament which served off with the Round of 32 fixtures on Monday.

In the Women’s Singles Round of 32 matches played so far, fourth seed Udokwelu was forced to work hard on Monday by Rebecca Ekpeyong in her first match.

Udokwelu was stretched to the limit by the unseeded Ekpeyong before prevailing 6-4, 7-6 (1) to stay on course and advance to the second round at the end of a pulsating encounter.

“Overall it was a really solid start, especially in the first set I played on a higher level.

“I served pretty good too which I think gave me an edge against a very tough opponent who was hell-bent on fighting for every ball in the court,” she said.

In other results, Jesutoyosi Adeusi defeated Chidinma Ezeh 7-5, 6-1, while Toytin Asogba beat tournament wildcard, Loveth Ogah 6-4, 6-4 to advance to the second round.

Blessing Amuna was forced to retire due to injury as Blessing Samuel advanced 6-2 (rtd) to the second round of the women’s singles event.

In the men’s singles event, number seven seed Iloputa made light work of unseeded Joseph Jimoh 6-4, 6-0, while Chima Michael was forced to retire due to injury as Thomas Otu advanced 4-0 (rtd).

Godsgift Timibra strolled past wildcard Noah Adamu 6-3, 6-0, while Michael Emmanuel defeated Michael Osewa 6-4, 6-2 to also advance to the second round.

The week-long tournament which is its fourth edition is expected to end on Saturday.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria