The 2018 edition of the Lagos International Squash Classics began on Monday, 19th of March; but definitely not in the best way for Nigerian male players.
The six-day tournament which served-off with the qualification round saw four of the six unseeded Nigerian male players knocked out of the competition as they failed to go past their opponents to qualify for the main draws.
Meanwhile, a 3-0 win for Abdulrahman Yusuf over France’s Enzo Corigliano in 37mins, ensures that the Nigerian will go into the main draws for a chance to battle it out with the top guns. Another Nigerian who would be flying the country’s flag in the main draws is Adegoke Onaopemipo who also dispatched his man, Alex Noakes of England but not without a fight from the English man. Adegoke eventually won 3-2 to progress to the next round.
Other players who made it into the next round include: Jean-Pierre Brits of South Africa who defeated Nigeria’s Sodiq Taiwo 3-2 in a keenly contested game which lasted for about an hour. Adrian Leanza (USA) went past Abel Shedrack (NGR) in 51 mins winning 3-1. Aadit Zaveri of India then defeated Tiago Goriely from Belgium 3-2 to also progress into the main draws (male).
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The final three include: Sean Conroy (IRL), Abdul Malik Khan (IND) and Ahmed Hosny (EGY) who all eased past their opponents Kehinde Samuel (NGR), Femi Shedara (NGR) and Jean-Marie Besombi (CGO) respectively, winning 3-0.
The qualification round continue on Tuesday with the women’s game taking centre stage as they battle for a place in the main draws.
