Ghana’s Lameck Bagerbaseh, Isaac Nortey, Abraham Asaba, Elizabeth Bagerbaseh, and Ruth Crawford have all advanced to the third round of the ongoing African Games tennis event at the Borteyman Sports Complex.
Lameck Bagerbaseh, the rising star, secured a spot in the third round by defeating Togolese player Kwami S. Roland Dussey after receiving a bye in the first round.
He triumphed with a score of 6-4, 6-0 at the centre court, expressing, “This is one of the best moments of my career.”
Abraham Asaba, the 2023 Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) tennis player of the year, also progressed to the third round with a convincing 6-1, 6-0 victory over Joelson Paulino from Angola.
Isaac Nortey showcased his form by overcoming Ethiopia’s Sileshi Getachew Belay with a score of 6-0, 6-2 in the second round.
He will now face Gatoto Allan Terry from Burundi.
In the women’s category, Ruth Crawford displayed resilience by coming back from a set down to defeat Algeria’s Mebarki Bochra with a score of 3-6, 6-4, 10-2. She will next compete against South African’s Mari-Louise Van Zyl.
Elizabeth Kapari Bagerbaseh dominated her match against Ethiopia’s Eden Samuel Zewde with a score of 6-0, 6-0. She is set to face Mohamed Aziz Dougaz from Tunisia in the third round.
However, not all Ghanaian players found success.
Herman Abban, who won his initial round match, suffered a defeat in the second round to Ivorian Coulibaly Eliakim Wilfried, ranked 447th in the world.
Former Ghana No.1 Samuel Antwi, after receiving a bye in the first round, fell to Egyptian opponent Michael Bassem Sobhy with a score of 6-1, 6-2.
Johnson Acquah also faced disappointment as he lost to Benin’s Sylvestre Monnou with a score of 6-1, 6-4. Sylvester, a past winner of the Tennis Foundation Ghana ITF Juniors tournament in 2018, showcased his prowess.
Sisu Makena-Tomegah’s journey came to an end after a defeat to Nigeria’s Marylove Edwards with a score of 3-6, 5-7. Marylove demonstrated her dominance, especially with her forehand shots.
Tracy Ampah faced a tough challenge and lost to Zimbabwe’s Tanyaradzwa Midzi with a score of 1-6, 0-6.