Thrills as Zenith Bank Team Tennis tourney begins

The 2026 Zenith Bank Team Tennis Tournament got underway on Monday at the tennis courts of Ikoyi Club 1938, with several exciting matches producing notable results.

The competition is being played in a best-of-nine format at the group stage, with the format changing to best-of-three sets from the semi-final stage.

Players have been divided into different banking groups, including Diaspora Banking, Prestige Banking, Scan to Pay and Zenith Easy Banking, among others.

In one of the opening-day highlights, former tennis section chairman Akeem Mustafa of the Zenith Aspire Group defeated current section chairman Victor Onyenkpa 6-3 in an entertaining encounter.

Also in the Zenith Aspire Group, Azubuike Okonkwo defeated Hilary Eledu of Zenith Easy Banking, while Kalada Kienka of Diaspora Banking recorded a 9-0 victory over Emeka Azinge of the Prestige Banking Red Group.

In other matches from the Blue Group, Pascal Ebhohimen edged Uzor Nwankwo 5-4 in a closely contested encounter, while Thomas Ighodalo defeated Jide Ntephe 8-1.

Onyenkpa expressed satisfaction with the opening day and predicted more exciting action as the tournament progresses.

“I am impressed with the events on the opening day and I am optimistic that the competition will get better in the days ahead,” Onyenkpa said.

The tournament continues at Ikoyi Club 1938, with players battling for places in the knockout stages.

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