By John Egbokhan
Nigerian tennis players were yesterday booted out of the Governor’s Cup Futures II, marking an end to their romance with the International Tennis Federation sanctioned point and prize money tournament.

In some of the second round matches held at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Onikan., all the remaining Nigerian players in the men’s and women’s singles were roundly beaten by their foreign opponents, who are now through to the quarterfinal.

Lawal Shehu, Nigeria’s number one male player failed to shine as he was sent packing by tournament’s number three seed, Kento Takeuchi of Japan, who won in straight sets of 6-1, 6-1. Number two seed, South African Ruan Roelofse defeated Clifford Enosoregbe 6-1, 6-1, while Sanni Adamu lost to Sherif Sabry of Egypt 1-6, 6-3, 2-6.

In the $25, 000 women’s singles, top seed, Nina Bratchikova of Russia, who is ranked 89 in the world, defeated Fatimah Abinu in straight sets of 6-1, 6-0, while Blessing Anuna bowed to South African Chanel Simmonds in 0-6, 1-6 game.