By Aderonke Ojo
Toluwalashe Agunbiade has continued her impressive run at the ongoing 2026 NASCO/ITF J30 World Tennis Tour Junior Championship, defeating Destiny Tomizayi 7-5, 6-1 in a Girls Under-18 Group F Match in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the championship is taking place at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium Tennis Complex, Abuja.
The first leg of the tournament began on June 1 and will end on June 7, while the second leg is scheduled for June 8 to June 13.
Agunbiade, who is drawn in Group F alongside Destiny Tomizayi, Omoyinka Ayinla and a bye, recorded her second consecutive singles victory in the round-robin competition.
Agunbiade pushed hard in a closely contested opening set before raising her level in the second set to seal the win in straight sets.
The Nigerian youngster showed composure under pressure in the first set, edging Tomizayi 7-5 after several closely fought games.
She then dominated the second set, breaking her opponent’s serve repeatedly to cruise to a 6-1 win and secure maximum points from the encounter.
The victory marked her second consecutive singles triumph in the round-robin competition, strengthening her chances of advancing to the quarter-finals.
With the result, Agunbiade moved to six points from two matches in Group F and remains on course for a place in the knockout stage of the tournament.
Speaking after the match, Agunbiade expressed satisfaction with her performance.
“This is my third participation in an ITF tournament. So far, everything has gone well.
“I have won my singles and doubles matches and now have six points from two singles victories. I have one more group match to play and I am confident going into it.
“All I need to do is stick to my tactics, follow my game plan and give my best. Hopefully, I can secure another win,” she said.
Agunbiade also praised her doubles partnership with Lithuania’s Roneta Kacinskaite.
Kacinskaite, who said she also has six points from two singles victories, said she was optimistic about qualifying for the quarter-finals.
“It was a great match. My volleys were good and my serve worked well.
“I think I still need to improve a little on my receiving, but overall I am pleased with my performance,” she said.
In other girls singles matches, Success Ogunjobi defeated Opeyemi Olademeji 6-0, 6-1, while Khadijat Mohammed cruised past Jamila Sani 6-0, 6-0.
Mary Azi and Nora Awode advanced via walkovers against Winner Gakpo and Nenrot Suwa respectively.
Emmanuella Kwange defeated Sri Lanka’s Rashmi Wijewardana 6-3, 6-3, Daisy Okechukwu beat Blessing Peter 6-1, 6-0, while Salvation Alex overcame Gift Gamaniel 6-1, 6-1.
In the boys singles, Amir Mohammed overwhelmed Cameroon’s Zolly Bwelle Gaetan Ylann 6-0, 6-0, while China’s Hengzhi Cui defeated Austin Ogbole by the same scoreline.
Elliott Awomoyi of the U.S beat Mohammed Abdullahi 6-4, 6-1, while Gbolahan Olawale defeated Olorun-Damilola Agunbiade 6-2, 6-0.
India’s Jagruth Kasireddy secured a hard-fought 6-4, 7-5 victory over Herman Aframai, while Segun Monday defeated Liberia’s Levi Baker 6-1, 6-2.
In the girls doubles quarter-finals, Agunbiade and Kacinskaite defeated the pair of Mary Azi and Glory Olademeji 6-2, 6-2 to book a place in the semi-finals.
They will face Khadijat Mohammed and France’s Jessica Togbe, who advanced after defeating Salvation Alex and Destiny Tomizayi 6-1, 6-1.
Elsewhere, Success Ogunjobi and Rashmi Wijewardana of Sri Lanka beat Idowu Gowin and Nenrot Suwa 7-5, 7-5 to reach the semi-finals, where they will face Emmanuella Kwange and Chimezurum Ogualu.
In the boys doubles quarter-finals, Elisha Kwande and Gbolahan Olawale defeated Amir Mohammed and Abdubasit Salami 6-4, 6-2 to advance to semi final.
The duo of Elliott Awomoyi and Seyi Ogunsakin also progressed after beating India’s Jagruth Kasireddy and Segun Monday 6-1, 7-5 to advance to semi final.
According to the tournament format, players in both the boys and girls categories are divided into eight groups (A to H), with four players in each group.
The competition is being played on a round-robin basis, with group winners advancing to the quarter-finals and 14 countries are participating.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Joseph Edeh
