Nigeria’s top-ranked player, Joseph Imeh, eased to the second round of the 2021 Rainoil Tennis Championship with a commanding 4-0, 4-1 victory over Joseph Jimoh.

Umeh, who is going for a fourth consecutive national title, having ruled at the CBN, Dala and the VEMP championships, made light work of his opponent in less than an hour at the Centre Court of the Lagos Country Club, Ikeja.

Also, in the men’s singles, yesterday, Wilson Igbinovia moved to the second round by beating Fortune Emmanuel 4-0, 5-3. The trio of Michael Osewa, Chima Michael and Christopher Itodo also advanced with wins over Gabriel Friday, Michael Akinmusibe and Matthew Abamu in 5-4 (3), 5-3, 4-2 and 5-3, 5-3 respectively.

Other matches saw Mukthar Andu pummelled Yahaya Musa 4-0, 4-0, just as Sani Nasiru out rallied Musa Ndagana 4-2, 4-2.

Old war horse, Albert Bikom, bagged a 4-1, 4-2 win over Tochukwu Eze, while Nonso Madueke, a former national champion, thrashed Michael Emmanuel, 4-1, 4-1. There are also wins for Samson Adewale, Anthony Leo, David John and Nurudeen Adebisi.

In the Women’s singles, Angel McLeod was ruthless as she crushed Taiwo Afolabi 4-0, 4-0 and Aanu Aiyegbusi dug deep to advance at the expense of Mary Udofia 4-2, 5-4 (6).

Destiny Okhinaye saw off Toyosi Adeusi 4-1, 4-2 to progress to the second round same as Mary Tenu-Michael who defeated Bunmi Are 5-4 (7), 4-1.