J30 Tennis: Edwards stuns Ogunsakin, Atilola clinch singles titles

David Edwards stunned top seed Seyi Ogunsakin 6-4, 0-6, 6-2 to win the boys’ singles title at the ITF World Tennis Tour Juniors J30 tournament in Ikeja on Saturday.

Edwards won the first set before Ogunsakin took the second set 6-0. However, Edwards regained his composure in the deciding set and raised his game to seal victory, ending Ogunsakin’s impressive run in the competition.

In the girls’ singles final, first-time participant Mofifunoluwa Atilola defeated eighth seed Bright Emmanuel 6-2, 6-1. Atilola showed confidence, consistency and good shot selection, controlling both sets.

The 13-year-old added a second title in the girls’ doubles, partnering Goodnews Aina to beat Adesewa Olaniyan and Gloria Samuel 6-4, 6-2. In the boys’ doubles final, Ogunsakin teamed up with Stanley Oriala to defeat Elisha Kwange and Gbolahan Olawale 6-4, 3-6, 13-11.

Atilola described her performance as impressive.

“My performance was very good. I stayed focused, remained in the game and believed in myself,” she said. She thanked the sponsors, including Procari Sweat, Peak and MTN, and said they helped players replenish their energy during matches.

She urged the organisers to sustain the competition, saying, “We need more tournaments like this so we can earn points in our home country.”

Emmanuel admitted her disappointment.

“I feel bad because I beat her the first time, but she has improved,” she said.

She vowed to work harder ahead of the second leg, which runs from November 9 to November 14. “I will train harder, study my game and work on other exercises to improve,” she added.

Edwards credited his win to tactical discipline, saying, “I was strategic on the court and followed the game plan my father gave me,” he said. He described the tournament as tough but enjoyable and said he hoped to improve in the second leg.

Tournament coordinator Abimbola Okubewa praised the progress of Nigerian players.

“Last year, Europeans dominated the tournament, but this year, Nigerian players dominated the semi-finals and finals. The improvement has been immense,” he said.

Okubewa, a former chairman of the Tennis Section of Ikoyi Club, said the organisers aim to host at least four or five similar tournaments every year to strengthen junior tennis development in Nigeria. “This is the foundation for juniors to become professionals. They start picking up points here and gradually work towards becoming top-50 or top-100 players,” he said.

Matthew Holmes, a member of Lagos Country Club, called for regular junior tournaments. He said the first leg was successful and featured seven days of competitive matches involving Nigerian and European players. “These tournaments need to happen regularly to expose young players to high-level competition,” he said. He also urged corporate organisations to invest in the development of tennis in Nigeria.

The tournament has attracted young players from nine countries who are competing for international ranking points. The first leg ran from November 2 to November 7, with the finals on Saturday.