Indian pair prevail in full distance thriller
Mixed Doubles: Round of 16
India’s Arjun Ghosh and Pooja Sahasrabudhe have negotiated a tough fixture in the opening round of mixed doubles action, coming out on top in a thrilling five game contest against the Algerian pair of Sami Kherouf and Katia Kessaci (8-11, 11-8, 11-9, 9-11, 11-7).
Christian Mbongia qualifies
Men’s Singles: Preliminary Round
Congo Democratic will have three representatives in the main draw of the men’s singles event after Christian Mbongia sealed qualification in the 4.50pm session of play. Taking on Nigeria’s Temidayo Ajayi in the preliminary round, Mbongia produced a six games win to extend his stay in the competition (11-7, 11-8, 11-4, 7-11, 9-11, 13-11).
Comeback effort sees Ismaila Akindiya through
Men’s Singles: Preliminary Round
Three games down and staring in the face of defeat but Ismaila Akindiya has pulled off a mighty recovery effort to come through his preliminary round encounter against Usman Ishola Okanlawon with a sensational 4-3 victory (8-11, 9-11, 11-13, 11-3, 11-1, 12-10, 13-11).
Ida Jazbec gets the job done
Women’s Singles: Groups
Ida Jazbec has emerged as the top name in Group 12 of women’s singles qualification – the Croatian player met the host nation’s Halima Hussain in a winner takes all contest with top spot being reserved for the victor.
Starting the stronger of the two Jazbec carried her early momentum through to the finish line, defeating her Nigerian counterpart in four games (11-7, 11-7, 9-11, 11-6).
South African hopeful tops group
Women’s Singles: Groups
Simeen Mookrey has topped Group 4 in the race for the women’s singles main event following a commanding 3-0 victory over Nigeria’s Abosede Esther Akinsete (11-9, 11-8, 11-2).
However, fellow South African competitor Danisha Patel will play no further part in the event after suffering her second defeat of the group stage process to Egypt’s Sarah Abousetta (13-11, 11-2, 11-5), who finishes at the summit of Group 9.
Fatima keeps Nigerian hopes alive
Women’s Singles: Groups
Home favorite Fatima Kazeem made sure she recovered after dropping the first game against Algerian Lynda Loghraibi, as there were multiple other withdrawals at the qualifying stage.
Kazeem turned the tables in the second game against Loghraibi, winning the match 3-1 (5-11, 11-5, 11-8, 11-7). Ghanaian Cecilia Frema and Congo Democratic’s Ammadine Litobaka sadly had to withdraw from the competition at the qualifying stage.
Double joy for Indians
Men’s Singles: Groups
Sudhanshu Grover and Soumyajit Ghosh seemed to have be in perfect sync, as the two Indians defeated Nigerian opposition in three games.
Sudhanshu was very clever with his backhand returns, easing the pressure from Amadi Omeh (11-6, 11-9, 11-8). Meanwhile, Soumyajit was focused on the attacking flow, giving himself enough room to dominate versus Olakunle Ajulo (11-6, 11-8, 11-2).
No dice for Nigerians
Men’s Singles: Groups
Bastien Rembert and Ibrahima Diaw spoiled the mood for the home crowd as they both conquered Nigerian opposition in Shamusi Agbaje and Yusuff Adewale Tijani in straight games.
Frenchman Rembert was in a hurry as his forehand display allowed Agbaje no chance to return. Senegal’s Diaw had to dig deeper with Tijani pushing him to the limit, despite the 3-0 scoreline.
Arjun wins thriller
Men’s Singles: Groups
Arjun Ghosh was involved in what turned out be the match of the morning, as the Indian won 3-2 against Nigeria’s Ismalia Akindiya.
Despite winning the first two games, Arjun needed all 5 games to see off Akindiya. It was an incredible advertisement for the quality on show in Lagos. Elsewhere, Monday Olaybiyi from Benin saw off host athlete Michael Obayomi in four games (11-8, 11-9, 8-11, 11-9).
Home youth raises tempo
Under 21 Women’s Singles: Groups
Nigeria’s youth brigade has started turning up the heat at the Sir Molade Okoya Thomas Indoor Sports Hall, as both Nimota Aregbesola and Ajoke Ojomu recorded wins in straight games.
Facing African opposition in Egypt’s Marwa Alhodaby and Congo Democratic’s Ruth Mambenga Ntela respectively, both Nimota and Ajoke used the speed of their forehands to the best of their abilities.
Good morning Devos
Under 21 Men’s Singles: Groups
Belgian virtuoso Laurens Devos started the second day of qualifying with style here in Lagos. Facing off versus Nigerian Jamiu Ayanwale, he gave the host nation candidate little to no room in a 3-0 win.
Still, there was good news for the home fans as Azeez Solanke had an impressive victory against Indian rising star Mudit Dani in straight games (11-2, 11-4, 11-5).
Qualification continues
Look below for the day’s fixture schedule and make sure to watch along live with itTV:
