France-born Nigerian tennis prodigy, Calvin Hemery has emerged winner
of the men’s title at the 2019 Lagos International Tennis Open, while
Riya Bhatia of India took home the women’s singles, after both finals
eventually held 24 hours after they had to be shifted due to heavy
downpour.
Hemery, who also won the first leg to win a back-to-back title,
defeated the same opponent in Monday’s final, Aldin Setkic from Bosnia
Herzegovina retired injured, when the game was still 4-2, at the
climax of the second leg of the ITF World Tennis Tour at Lagos Lawn
Tennis Club, Onikan.
To Hemery, whose father is from Edo State, winning the ITF World Tour
was a thing of joy for him, adding that he felt elated with the
support he received from Nigerian fans, which he described as one of
the rallying forces that propelled the victory.
The women’s singles final was a tough match for the winner, Indian
Bhatia, who was stretched in the three sets thriller by opponent from
Slovenia, Nastja Kolar, who fell 7-5,1-6,6-3; after which the winner
described the runner-up as a good player, adding that it took her
determined effort to win the match.
The Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwolu-Olu, who could not
physically present at the finals was represented by Dr. Kweku Tandoh,
the Executive Chairman of Lagos State Sports Commission and the
Director General, Mr. Oluwatoyin Gafar.
Dr Tandoh who represented the Governor gave kudos to the finalists,
most especially the winners. He praised, on behalf of the state
government, the Local Organising Committee LOC headed by Chief Pius
Akinyelure for putting up a good organisation of the competition. He
wished all the players safe journey to their respective destinations.
