TEAM Kalotari of Port Harcourt took a commanding 3-0 at the end of proceedings on the first day of the third place match.

Making the most of his new found form and status, current national champion Thomas Otu, shook off a shaky start that saw him lose the first set to Team Ogun’s Michael Igbinovia before powering home 4-6, 6-2, 4-1(scratch).

Thomas Otu,

Sylvester Emmanuel, winner of the Dala Hard Court a week ago, doubled the points by beating Joseph Imeh 6-3, 6-4. in the second singles match.

Team Kalotari were always favourites to win the doubles and they did pretty convincingly. The pair of national doubles champion Sunday Maku and Thomas Otu beat Team Ogun’s pair of Ayobami Odeye-mi and Joseph Imeh 6-1, 6-4.

Team Kalotari will need to win one out of four matches Thursday to bag the third place prize of N2 million and secure a bronze medal finish on the podium.

The second day’s matches will feature the ladies singles match between Ronke Akingbade of Team Ogun and Aanu Ayegbusi of Kalotari as well as two men’s reverse singles matches and the mixed doubles.

The third place playoff is coming ahead of the championship match between Team Civil Defence and Team Tombim starting Friday, Dec 4 from 10 am.