The federation’s secretary, Bunmi Oluode, told the News Agency of Nigeria on Monday in Lagos that Moses Michael and Gloria Semidara were ranked 5th and 7th in the junior category of rowing single scull event.
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Michael, the 2015 runner-up of the competition, had since reaching the quarter-finals, been creating upsets, defeating No. 3 seed, Sylvester Emmanuel, in three straight sets 6-4, 1-6, 6-3 to win the trophy
The world no 1209 Nigerian had signaled that he is one player that could not be treated with kid gloves when he stretched David Perez Sanz of Spain, the top-ranked player of the first leg, losing to the world no 258 6-3, 3-6, 6-7 in the second round
Moses, the only Nigerian player on the ITF ranking in the tournament (1207), needed a final set to triumph against the same opponent in their previous meeting last year and it looked like the match will head to the rubber again as both players held on their serves all through the opening 12 games
As hosts, Nigeria understandably was given the privilege of having the largest number of Wild Card slots as no fewer than eight of the country’s players move into the main draw due to the fact that precious few of its players are in the ATP and WTA rankings
Moses relinquished his crown at the 2nd Atawodi Top 16 tourney in Abuja last week following a 6-3, 4-6, 6-7 loss to Shehu Lawal, but was quick to vent his anger on his less experienced opponent, whom he subdued with an embarrassing ease to send warnings to his major rivals.