ITF/CAT tourney: Osewa wins, Quadri loses

Nigeria’s Michael Osewa set off on a good note at the 2016 ITF/CAT African 14 and Under Masters holding in Nairobi, Kenya with a 7-6, 6-2 win over South Africa’s Connor Kruger.
However, the duo of Oyinlomo Quadri and Marylove Edwards started their campaign on faltering notes, losing to Sneha Kotecha of Kenya 6-2, 6-3 and Aisha Niyonkuru of Burundi 6-2, 6-3 respectively.
“First matches are aways difficult and I believe she will pick up in her next match,” Nigeria’s Coach Mohammed Ubale said of Quadri’s loss as the Morocco-based player faces early elimination.
Osewa, 14, who is the top seed, will face Eyes Marouani of Tunisia in his next match on Thursday and will end his preliminary round with a clash against Kholowan Montsi of South Africa.
Quadri failed to sustained her inspiring form which saw her won the 18 and under championships in Cotonou and Lome few weeks ago with and should be geared up for her next match against Makayla Loubser, the top seed from South Africa before her final preliminary match with Dellen Kleinhams, another South African.
Same is expected of Edwards, who was selected for the tournament due to her promising showing this year.
The 11-year-old will also battle South Africans Lara Van den Merve and Rochelle Pienaar and needed at least one win to stand the chance of progressing to the semifinal.
The winners of the week-long championship will be entitled to grants from the International Tennis Federation to play in tournaments across the world next year.