By Aderonke Ojo
Lithuania’s Roneta Kacinskaite recorded an emphatic victory over Nigeria’s Esilama Awode, defeating 6-1, 6-1 in the Girls Under-18 round of 32, Group E match at the ongoing 2026 NASCO/ITF J30 World Tennis Tour Junior Championship in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the championship is taking place at the Tennis Complex of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium.
The victory strengthened Kacinskaite, a 12-year-old Lithuanian, who dominated proceedings from the outset, displaying remarkable composure and consistency to secure straight-sets win over the Nigerian in the round of 32 contest.
Kacinskaite stamped her authority on the contest from the outset, racing to a 4-1 lead in the opening set and denying Awode any opportunity for a comeback.
The Lithuanian maintained her dominance throughout, winning five consecutive games to wrap up the set 6-1.
The second set followed a similar pattern, as Kacinskaite compounded Awode’s difficulties by securing an early break of serve.
She continued to dictate play with her consistency and aggressive shot-making, cruising to another 6-1 victory to complete an emphatic straight-sets win.
Speaking after the match, Kacinskaite expressed satisfaction with her performance and outlined her ambition of claiming the title.
“I played really well today. My opponent was good, but I think it was her first International Tennis Federation (ITF) tournament, so she may have been a little nervous.
“It is my first time in Nigeria and I like it here. The environment is quite different from Lithuania.
“I still have two more round-robin matches to play and I hope to win them and qualify for the knockout stage.
“My goal is to win the championship, and I will also compete in the doubles event,” she said.
NAN reports that Kacinskaite is competing in Group E alongside Nigeria’s Nenrot Suwa and Awode in a group where only the winner will progress to the quarter-finals.
Other results in the girls’ category, Kadijat Mohammed advanced with a bye, while Jamila Sani rallied from a set down to defeat Sarah Tijani 3-6, 6-4, 10-4. Mary Azi also recorded a convincing 6-1, 6-0 victory over Ziyyadat Wuraola.
In the boys’ category, Mohammed Abdullahi overcame Paul Adebisi 6-2, 6-2, while Gbolahan Olawale dispatched Liberia’s Bill Freeman 6-1, 6-1.
Heman Aframai secured a 6-4, 6-3 win against Testimony Godwin, and China’s Jinxuan Cheng eased past Ismail Shuaibu 6-1, 6-1.
NAN reports that according to the tournament format, players in both the boys and girls’ categories are drawn into eight groups, A to H, with four players in each group.
The competition is being played on a round-robin basis for three days, with group winners advancing to the quarter-finals.
The championship’s first leg began on June 1 and will run until June 7, while the second leg is scheduled for June 8 to June 13 at the same venue.
A total of 14 countries are represented at the event. They are: hosts Nigeria, Cameroon, China, Great Britain, Canada, Sri Lanka, Liberia, Lithuania, India, Togo, Benin Republic, United States, Sweden and France.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Joseph Edeh