However, the foreigners took charge in the singles events with Israel and Italy clinching the titles.
Nigeria’s duo of Jinkam Bulus and Ola Fagbemi settled for second place in the men’s double after losing to the current African champion, South Africa’s pair of Andries Malan and Willem Viljoen 21-10, 22-20.
In the mixed doubles, Nigeria’s pair of Enejoh Abah and Tosin Atolagbe claimed the coveted title for the host after beating South Africa’s Andries Malan and Jennnifer Fry 26-24, 22-20 in the final.
It was Nigerian affairs in the women’s doubles final, as Dorcas Adesokan and Maria Buraimoh combined very well to beat Tosin Atolagbe and Fatima Azeez 21-19, 22-20.
In the men’s singles, the tournament number one seed, Israel’s Misha Zilberman lived up to expectation after overcoming Austria’s Luka Wraber 21-15, 21-12 to clinch the prize money of $1,830, while Italy’s Jeanie Cicognini eased to victory after she defeated Slovakia’s Martina Pepiska 21-19, 21-9.
An elated Zilberman, lauded the organisers of the tournament, while looking forward to coming back to defend his title.
"I just want to give my best but I won the tournament because I was taking it one step at a time and each step all the way. Wraber did everything good but my speed was very higher, so today he couldn't meet me because he was slower maybe because matches before he played against me but I was expecting to play faster than him and give my best. Before we played twice, once I lost and the other time I won and now I won again" said Zilberman.
The Israeli also applauded the standard of play and quality of organization, saying, "The organization was good. Sometime I asked for more help and they did help me. Good organization, good tournament on high level and I enjoyed my staying here this weekend and because of winning, I'm very happy to have come here and if you will make this tournament again, I hope to be here. I will take a break for two weeks to practice and train very well then I will go to Australia super series to play, hopefully I will do well,” said Ziberman.
For Italy’s Cicognini, playing at the top level helps her to ease to victory.
"It was not that easy, every match is very difficult so you have to play 100% and give your best and that's what the final was. I'm happy to win the tournament, although it's a different level tournament, of course if you compare it with other tournament in Europe. Last week I played at a different standard tournament and I lost in the first round,” she added.
0 comments:
Speak up your mind
Tell us what you're thinking... !