ABDULMUMUNI Babalola, defending champion of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Senior Open Championship, says it will be legendary for him to lift the cup for the seventh time in the tournament’s history.

Babalola, current number two seed of Nigeria Tennis Federation(NTF), said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) on Friday after defeating his semi-final opponent, Uche Oparaoji in two straight sets.

According to him, winning the 40th edition of the championship will definitely make him a legend.

Babalola had first won the championship in 2002 in the junior cadre.

“I came from behind to win the 2002 edition. I have won the cup six times now,” he said.

Commenting on his penultimate match, Babalola described  his opponent as a very good player.

“Oparaoji is a very good player to get to semi-final stage,.

“I observed we are both left-handed, trying to play smart but I think I was smarter today,” he said.

Babalola had earlier defeated Emmanuel Sunday 6-2,6-3 in the quarter final stage.

He  will  be squaring up for the final on Saturday against Sylvester Emmanuel, who defeated Clifford Enoseregbe 3-6,6-2,6-4 in the second semi-final match.

In the Women’s category Sarah Adegoke, the number one seed, will battle against Patience Onebamhoin, while Christie Agugbom will  play against e Blessings Samuel, the number two seed, for the final ticket.

Both male and female champions will emerge on Saturday who will each cart away N700,000  while the first runner-up in both categories will go home with  N5000,000.  (NAN)

– Jun. 29, 2018 @ 18:12 GMT |