Top seeds power to victory

The mixed association duo of Belgium’s Cedric Nuytinck and France’s Quentin Robinot avoided any moments of drama in their men’s doubles round one meeting with Gedeon Kassa and Christian Mbongia with the top seeds defeating the Congo Democratic combination by a convincing 3-0 scoreline (11-4, 11-5, 11-7).

Russian pair squeeze through

Seeded second for the women’s doubles draw but the Russian partnership of Polina Mikhailova and Yana Noskova struggled to find their footing in their opening round encounter, battling to a narrow 3-2 win at the expense of India’s Sreeja Akula and Diya Parag Chitale (11-4, 4-11, 7-11, 11-9, 11-8).

Cristian Pletea departs

Romanian star Cristian Pletea is out of the men’s singles race after losing out to German adversary Kilian Ort across seven games (6-11, 12-14, 11-7, 11-8, 9-11, 11-7, 11-9). In the other 5.35pm fixture second seed Cedric Nuytinck made a slow start but recovered well to beat Eric Glod 4-2 (9-11, 11-1, 11-8, 6-11, 11-9, 11-6).

Huge upset within reaching distance but Saheed Idowu falls short

Spectators in Lagos very nearly witnessed a major upset in the second round of men’s singles action as Congo Brazzaville’s Saheed Idowu marginally missed out on a spot in the last 16.

Holding a three games advantage but Idowu couldn’t quite make it over the finish line as his no.7 seeded opponent from Thailand, Supanut Wisutmaythangkoon fought back with four consecutive game wins to keep his name in the running (9-11, 8-11, 6-11, 11-9, 11-6, 11-5, 11-9).

Close shave but Quadri Aruna survives

The big favourite for gold in Lagos but top seed Quadri Aruna came very close to a shock second round exit in the men’s singles event: down 1-3 on the scoreboard Nigeria’s Aruna required a late comeback push to edge a fierce battle against Belgian rival Laurens Devos 4-3 (10-12, 8-11, 12-10, 7-11, 11-8, 12-10, 11-5).

Sarah Hanffou negotiates difficult test

Cameroon’s Sarah Hanffou has put her name in the draw from the Round of 16 – seeded 14th in Lagos, Hanffou needed the full seven game distance to see off home competitor Aminat Fashola (7-11, 11-7, 9-11, 11-8, 11-3, 5-11, 11-5).

Impressive outing from Dina Meshref

The no.3 seed in Lagos, Dina Meshref showed her class in round two with the Egyptian producing a dominant performance in her meeting with Nigeria’s Cecilia Akpan (14-12, 11-7, 11-5, 11-3). There was another victory for Egypt in the 2.25pm session as Reem El-Eraky came out on top against South Africa’s Simeen Mookrey (12-10, 11-8, 11-4, 7-11, 11-5).

Home star sails through

Nigerian no.15 seed Olufunke Oshonaike is through to the third round of the women’s singles draw in Lagos following a fine display against Egyptian opponent Mariam Alhodaby (11-7, 11-7, 8-11, 11-7, 11-7).

Also through is top seed Barbora Balazova with the Slovak player cruising to a straight games victory over the host nation’s Rofiat Jimoh (11-3, 11-4, 11-5, 11-5).

Michael Tauber ousts seed

Unseeded for the men’s singles draw but Israel’s Michael Tauber didn’t let that stop him from producing an upset in the opening round of main draw action condemning the no.30 seed from India, Mudit Dani to a six games defeat and an early elimination in the process (11-8, 11-8, 9-11, 7-11, 11-5, 11-4).

One step too A-ssar for Fayele

Host nation’s David Fayele had too much of a mountain to climb when he faced Egypt’s Khalid Assar in the first round of the main event here in Lagos.

Playing his first match of the tournament, Assar was full of energy and took down Fayele’s challenge in four games (11-5, 11-7, 11-4, 11-2).

Europeans gather momentum

Alexandre Rabinot and Bastian Steger claimed straight games victories over Nigerian opposition in a strong call of action for the European athletes.

France’s Rabinot took no prisoners versus Akinwale Fagamila as he raced to a 4-0 scoreline. Meanwhile, German Steger faced little resistance going up against Makanjuola Kazeem (11-3, 11-3, 11-9, 11-3).

Ghosh cranks up the tension

They say if you are going to win, win big! Indian Soumyajit Ghosh made sure to keep this saying going after he turned the tables on Nigerian Olajide Omotayo (10-12, 19-17, 11-9, 12-10, 11-8).

Omoyato started the match imperiously, and even had the lead in the decisive second game. But Ghosh had other ideas, as he kept pushing till he found a chink in the Nigerian’s armor. It made for an amazing match, one the fans will appreciate, despite elimination of their nation’s athlete.

Devos wins another thriller

Belgian Laurens Devos is making a habit of getting involved in thrillers, as he had to fight it out against Quentin Rabinot in a 4-3 win (11-3, 5-11, 11-8, 11-8, 8-11, 11-13, 11-7).

The Frenchman Rabinot came back from being 1-3 down but could not push on in the final game. Meanwhile, home favorite Quadri Aruna had a simpler task when he saw off Congo Democratic’s Christian Ntumba Ngeleka in a 4-0 win.

Diya hits Egyptian wall

Diya Parag Chitale had her hands full against Mariam Alhodaby, as the Egyptian attacker managed to see off her Indian opponent in a 3-1 win (5-11, 11-9, 11-8, 13-11).

There was a definite air of pace and power about Alhodaby’s play, and it was a joy to watch for the fans. It was not too entertaining for Diya however, and she will now have her sights set on the women’s senior’s draw against Belgian Lisa Lung – who will be carrying momentum after soundly defeating Nigerian Esther Oribamise in the Under 21 quarter-finals (11-9, 12-14, 12-10, 12-10).

Hodaei outlasts Rembert

At the other table in the Sir Molade Okoya Thomas Indoor Sports Hall, Frenchman Bastein Rembert could not follow on from his exploits from qualifying as he was defeated 3-2 by Amir Hossein Hodaei (12-14, 11-7, 2-11, 11-9, 11-5).

Ripos ousts Azeez

Host candidate Azeez Solanke – playing his fourth match of the tournament – could not keep up with the first game intensity of Romanian Rares Sipos in a 3-1 defeat.

Despite taking the first game 11-7, Solanke had no answer when Sipos sped up his shots and took three games in a row (7-11, 12-10, 11-7, 11-6). Solanke will now look to progress in the seniors’ draw as he faces Belgian Robin Devos later today.

Knockout stages begin

Look below for the day’s fixture schedule and make sure to watch along live with itTV: