By Boluwaji Ogunmola
Top seed Isiaka Toriola, and tournament’s number two seed, Adewale Samson, will meet in the Men’s singles final on Thursday in the GSM Tennis Championship, currently holding at the Tennis Courts of the Lekan Salami Sports Complex.
The tournament’s number one seed, Toriola endured a tough challenge from third seed Olanrewaji Ajibade in the second semifinal match on Wednesday, a game which lasted for over two hours, before winning 6-2, 6-1.
Toriola did struggle with accuracy, but he was able to win after a gruelling and energy-sapping encounter at the Centre court of the Lekan Salami Sports Complex.
On his way to the final, Toriola defeated Musa Abdulahi 6-2, 6-3 in the quarter final, following wins over Eluwole Eniola and Tunde Ifeta in the first and second rounds respectively.
The other semi-final was equally as tightly contested game as the fairtail run of Emeka Gabriel Ogumjiofor ended following his 6-1, 6-1 loss to second seed Adewale Samson.
The Men’s Singles final match will hold at the centre court of the Lekan Salami Sports complex on Thursday at 3:00pm.
In the Ladies singles category, number one seed Abiodun Deborah will take on tournament number two seed Awe Bamidele in Thursdays final.
Tournament favourite Deborah went past Israel Rachael 6-2, 6-3 in the semifinal clash on Wednesday, knocked out Afolabi Taiwo 6-1, 6-3 in the quarter final and defeated Ashade Elizabeth 4-0, 4-1 in the second round.
Awe Bamidele, who had earlier eliminated Balogun Tomiwa in the second round and Kolawole Boluwatife in the quarterfinal, knocked out fourth seed Jimoh Deborah 6-2, 6-0 in Wednesdays semifinal.
Final games of the Junior boy’s and girl’s categories will start at 1:00pm on Thursday with defending Champions Ganiyu Mubarak and Afolabi Imole Ayomi the favourites to retain their titles.
The four-day championship, which began on Monday, ends on Thursday.
