Shehu, Abinu Are CBN’S Champs

Nigeria’s Davis Cup player, Shehu Lawal on Saturday clinched the Men’s Singles title of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) by beating his doubles partner, Candy Idoko in drab final, to pocket the star prize money of N.5million.

And in the Women’s category, rising star, Fatimah Abinu beat former number one Osaro Amadin 7/5 6/0 to win the N.25m prize.

Lawal by the victory has won the CBN title for the third time having won it in 2004, 2005 and 2007.

Idoko who edged out the defending champion, Abdulmumini Babalola in the quarter final gave Lawal a good fight in the first set by holding onto his service until tie break when the champion relied on experience to win at 7/6.

The second set was however nothing to write home about as Idoko gave up easily thus losing at 0/6.

Idoko who took home the N.3m for his efforts promised to renew the battle at the Gov. Olusegun Agagu tennis competition where he hopes to meet the champion next week.

“I am happy that my game has improved tremendously since I returned from Holland where I went on a training tour. This is the first time I am playing in the final of a big tournament like CBN and I am quite happy that my game has improved,” he said.

Lawal in a post match chat with Sporting Mirror praised Idoko for his efforts in the final adding that he never expected to play him in the final.

He said his target was to win at least a medal at the All Africa Games and to make a good impression at the Euro/Africa Zone 11 of the All Africa Games against Ukraine in July.

Speaking after the competition, the President of the Nigeria Tennis Federation (NTF), Alhaji Sani Ndanusa, thanked CBN for its contribution to the sport in the last 29 years adding if not for the apex bank, a gap would have been left in the development of the sport in the country.

And like Oliver Twist, the NTF boss begged CBN to support the Davis Cup team in its quest to overwhelm its Ukrainian counterparts in the Davis Cup tie in July.

“I am actually pleased that all the semifinalists and finalists are members of the country’s Davis Cup team and this definitely has helped in our preparation.

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