15th Lagos Governor’s Cup gets underway

By BUNMI OGUNYALE

The 2015 edition of Governor’s Cup Lagos Tennis Championship serves off at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Onikan Monday with the Main Draws of the first leg (Futures 3) taking off.
The tournament had, at the weekend, held the qualifying matches for the players whose world rankings could not meet up with the criteria of playing directly in the Man Draws. With the qualifying matches concluded Sunday, all is now set for the big stage where hostilities to win the prize money of $15, 000 and $25, 000 for men and women singles respectively in the first leg begin. Also the players will also fight for ATP points to improve their rankings in the world.
On the part of the Local Organising Committee, LOC, headed by Chief Pius Akinyelure and the host, Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, all arrangements have been concluded to stage a befitting championship, the first in the administration of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos.
“We are set for another exciting two weeks this year and I want to assure all our visitors around the world that they are welcome to the City of Lagos,” said the Tournament Director, Prince Wale Oladunjoye.
According to the International Tennis Federation, ITF, Bosnia and Herzegovina player, Aldin Setkic is the highest ranked star in this year’s tournament. He is ranked number 231, while French player, Sherazad Reix is leading the female player. She is ranked number 247 in the world.
Pere Riba of Spain (246), Takanyi Garanganga of Zimbabwe (436), Sadio Doumbia of France (441), Antal Van Der Duim from The Netherlands (444), Llyod Harris of South Africa (492) and Karim-Mohammed Maamoun of Egypt (506), Andre Gaspar Murta of Portugal, Ben Mclachlan on New Zealand and French Fabien Reboul complete the Top 10 seeds in the men’s category of the first leg which ends on Saturday, 12 December. The second leg holds from 12-19 December.
Ukraine’ Valeriya Strakhova who is ranked 267 is second seed in the women’s category. A known face at the annual competition, Slovakia’ Tadeja Majeric will return to Lagos this year. She is the third seed and on number 304 in the world.
Also returning to Lagos for the Governor’s Cup are American Alexandra Riley (843) and Israeli Ester Masuri (1233).

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