By Victor Okoye
Abuja, May 13, 2023 (NAN) Nigeria’s number one ranked player Uche Oparaoji on Saturday emerged champion of the 4th Vemp Tennis Open Championships after a hard-fought win in the final against David Ekpeyong in Abuja.
Oparaoji was forced to work hard by the tournament’s number three seed, Ekpeyong and had to come back from a set down before prevailing 4-6, 6-1, 6-4 at the end of a pulsating encounter.
Playing against an opponent who had defeated him in straight sets 7-6(4), 6-1 at the 2022 Rain Oil Tennis tournament in December, Oparaoji started the match on the front foot with revenge on his mind.
He quickly raced into a 2-0 lead in the first set, but then lost a little bit of concentration to allow Ekpeyong back into the game at 2-2.
It became a family affair from then on, right up till it was 4-4, before the 17-year-old Ekpeyong broke Oparaoji’s serve and never looked back to take the first set 6-4.
The 27-year-old Oparaoji however, managed to play at a different gear in the second and third set.
In the end he appeared in control of the match as he staged a stunning back against the big-serving Ekpeyong to wrap up the game at 6-1, 6-4.
“It was very competitive game and my opponent is someone I am very familiar with. So I expected this kind of challenge.
“He defeated me last year in the final of the Rain Oil championship in Lagos and I was determined to get my pound flesh this time around.
“Ekpeyong is a very good player and has a near perfect return of all balls with his solid back hand. So, with that in mind, I had to switch things up a bit.
“I felt kind of in control of the match. Even when I lost the first set I just felt like ‘if I am on the right level, I have the upper hand’.
“I am happy I ended the match in a good fashion, in a right way and this is very positive as I hope to carry this same energy into the DavNotch Senior Open Tennis championship,” he said.
It was however a different ball game for women’s top seed and defending champion Marylove Edwards.
This was after she dismissed the tournament’s number two seed Aanu Aiyegbusi, beating her in two straight sets 6-4, 6-0 to emerge winner of the women’s single event.
“It was a good match and kudos to my opponent for putting up a fight especially in the first set. It really showed that she had improved alot.
“I started a bit slow but I am glad I was able to come out stronger in the second set and successfully defend my title,” she said.
In the final of the men’s doubles event, the pair of Daniel Adeleye and Usman Kushmo caused an upset as they put up a masterclass performance to stun top seeds Oparaoji and Ekpeyong 6-3, 6-4 to emerge winners.
In the women’s doubles category, top seeds Edwards and Aiyegbusi combined well to defeat Toyin Asogba and Blessing Omotayo in two straight sets 6-4, 6-3 to claim the event’s prize.
The championships which began on May 4 ended on Saturday. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
