The CBN Tennis Championship 2026 continued to gather momentum on Friday as the battle for national honours reached a thrilling stage at the Package B courts of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.
With quarter-final places at stake across the men’s and women’s singles, doubles and wheelchair categories, the day’s action produced a blend of dominant displays, hard-fought comebacks and surprise results, leaving fans eagerly anticipating an explosive finish to one of Nigeria’s biggest domestic tennis competitions.
In the men’s singles, tournament favourite Canice Abua once again demonstrated why he remains the player to beat.
The top seed opened with a comfortable 6-4, 6-3 victory over Nuhu Urenyang before surviving a tougher second-round examination against Musa Sani, recovering from a first-set setback to triumph 5-7, 6-4, 6-4 and march confidently into the quarter-finals.
Third seed Dahiru Muhammed also maintained his title challenge with composed performances.
After dispatching Ruby Moho 6-2, 6-3, he produced another disciplined display to edge past Toba 6-3, 6-4, setting up a mouthwatering last-eight encounter.
Fourth seed Lucky Danjuma enjoyed a relatively smooth passage, brushing aside qualifier Tolu Olatunji 6-1, 6-2 before benefiting from the retirement of his next opponent while leading 6-4, 1-0. The victory kept him firmly on course for a semi-final berth.
Second seed Jeremiah Benjamin was pushed to his limits in one of the tournament’s most entertaining matches.
After dropping the opening set against
Thomas Otu, Benjamin showed remarkable composure and resilience to fight back for a 5-7, 6-2, 6-2 victory, underlining his championship credentials.
Elsewhere, Daniel Adeleye delivered another convincing performance, defeating Onyekachi Ogunjiofor 6-1, 6-1 before overcoming Daniel Yakubu 6-1, 6-4 to seal his place in the quarter-finals.
Basit Ajao continued his impressive campaign with straight-set victories over Emeka Ogunjiofor and Ezekiel Azi, while Yahaya Sani-Inabo also advanced after defeating Ayomiposi Agboola and later Alpha Ahli in a gripping three-set battle.
One of the standout performers of the day was Emmanuel Micheal, who recovered from a set down to defeat Musa Mohammed 3-6, 6-4, 6-1 after earlier overcoming Aminu Ibrahim in straight sets.
Joseph Jimoh equally impressed, eliminating Saidu Sani-Inabo before overcoming Samuel Akagha to reach the last eight.
The women’s singles competition also lived up to expectations as several favourites continued their impressive runs.
Top contender Khadijat Mohammed remained flawless, overcoming Timipre Maxwell before joining forces with her consistent baseline play to keep her title hopes alive.
Success Ogunjobi also advanced comfortably after defeating Bright Emmanuel, while Etoro Bassey produced another commanding performance to progress.
Former champion Blessing Omotayo displayed her experience by overcoming Loveth Anunina after earlier benefiting from a retirement in the previous round.
Nenrot Suwa, Favour Godwin, Bright Emmanuel-Essien and Precious Ohima all secured victories to book their places in the latter stages, ensuring that the race for the women’s crown remains fiercely contested.
The men’s doubles competition witnessed equally entertaining contests.
The highly-rated pairing of Musa Mohammed and Canice Abua justified their top billing by defeating Peter Egena and Ruby Moho to reach the next round.
The duo of Isaac Danjuma and Mubarak Ganiyu advanced after another composed performance, while Thomas Otu and Ayomide Foluronsho secured victory to keep their title ambitions alive.
Other successful partnerships included Abdulsalam Mohammed and Gbolahan Olawale, as well as Suleiman Ibrahim and Gbolahan Olawale, both progressing after convincing displays.
In the women’s doubles, the combination of Success Mohammed and Khadijat Ogunjobi continued to impress with excellent teamwork and court coverage.
They were joined in the quarter-finals by Diana Ahmed and Princess Udonya, Precious Ohima and Mary Adedeji, and the experienced pairing of Blessing Omotayo and Nenrot Suwa, all of whom recorded impressive victories in highly competitive matches.
The wheelchair events also produced memorable moments as some of Nigeria’s finest para-tennis players continued their quest for national glory.
In the wheelchair men’s singles, top seed Alex Adewale justified his status as tournament favourite. After receiving a first-round bye, he comfortably negotiated his opening match before defeating Rafiu Olawosebikan to move into the semi-finals.
Second seed Rasaq Bankole also progressed after impressive victories over Seun Abel and Lucky Ajudua, while Wasiu Yusuf advanced following a bye and a commanding straight-set win over Lateef Jimoh, setting up an exciting conclusion to the men’s wheelchair event.
The wheelchair women’s singles featured equally dominant performances. Chituru Nwazuzu advanced after defeating Christiana Owololagba, while Chika Enwerem produced commanding wins to book her semi-final ticket.
Read also:
- CBN Tennis Championship 2026: Top Seeds Progress as Title Race Intensifies in Abuja
- Men, Women Top Seeds Advance In CBN Tennis Championship
- Day 6 Of CBN National Tennis Championship 2026 Produces Fierce Battles as Wheelchair Events Gather Momentum
Vivian Ozurumba battled through a testing encounter before progressing, while Andrea Usoh defeated Mary Usman in straight sets after earlier overcoming Jumoke Adedeji, ensuring a strong semi-final line-up in the women’s event.
With quarter-final and semi-final places now decided in several categories, the championship has entered its decisive phase.
Every match now carries greater significance as players chase valuable national ranking points, prize money and the prestigious CBN Tennis Championship titles.
As the competition heads into the business end of the tournament, spectators at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium can look forward to even more intense rallies, dramatic finishes and high-quality tennis as Nigeria’s finest players battle for supremacy on the national stage.
