Nigeria’s top-ranked squash players in the men’s and women’s categories Onaopemipo Adegoke and Rofiat Abudulazeez qualified for the third round of the ongoing Prime Atlantic Squash Open, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
The second edition of the Prime Atlantic Squash Open – a four-day event, served off at the Teslim Balogun Stadium Surulere, Lagos Tuesday.
Adegoke, who is the defending champion in the men’s category, walked over Matthew Jimoh just as Gbenga Olowoyo advanced to the next round in the absence of his opponent, Femi Shedara.
In other men’s results, Ismail Abubakar defeated Abdulraheem Durosilorun in three straight sets 11-6, 11-6, 11-2.
Olufunmilayo Gabriel also edged Ishaya Obadiah 11-5, 11-3, 11-6 in 25 minutes, while Olawale Michael edged Bassey Etim 11-2, 11-6, 11-6 to reach the third round.
In the women’s second round, Abudulazeez, Abdulraheem Khadija, Mistura Durosilorun, Blessings Isaac, Riskat Ahmed, Jadesola Olatunji, Grace Okon Udeme James, Awawu Balogun, Ruth Okoro Rebecca Auta and Ibukunoluwa Ajani all qualified for the third round.
Speaking with our correspondent after the first round of matches, tournament director, Wasiu Sanni expressed delight at the level of competitiveness of the players.
“The first edition was very impressive and we had Adegoke emerge as champion, Sanni told PUNCH Sports Extra.
“This edition is more elaborate and that’s why we believe it is going to me more competitive,” Sanni said.
“The quality of performance on display from these players has been terrific and aside that we hope to use tournaments like these to catch them young for the future.
“Now that squash is now an Olympic sport, we hope to nurture them so we can have good representatives for Nigeria in 2028.”
Nigeria’s No.5 in the women’s category, Durosilorun also remained confident of reaching the rounds of 32 when day two of the event serves off on Wednesday (today).
“I had a great start to the tournament and I hope to continue in that light tomorrow (today),” Durosilorun said after her triumph over Uduakobong.
Durosilorun defeated Uduakobong in three straight sets ( 11-7,11-1, 11-2).
“The energy level of the tournament is very high but I’m ready to win here and improve on my ranking.”
