Nigeria has qualified for the Davis Cup World Group II after defeating Uzbekistan 3-1 at playoffs event held inside the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club 1895, Tafawa Balewa, Onikan, Lagos.
The two-day event started with a straight sets win for the guests as Khumoyun Sultanov (ATP 615) defeated Nigeria’s Canice Abua 6-3, 6-4 to give the 49th ranked tennis nation an advantage over the Nigerian team.
In the second rubber, Nigeria’s number one male tennis player, Daniel Adeleye, fought back from a set down to drag Nigeria back into the tie with a 4-6, 6-2, 6-4 final set win over Uzbekistan’s Abdelaziz Usmonjonov despite cramping during the match.
On day two of the event, former top 30 ATP player, Denis Istomin, partnered Sultanov to take on the Nigerian pair of Abua and Michael Emmanuel.
Unfazed by the threats posed by their opponents, the Abuja-based Nigerian players refused to be broken by the more experienced Uzbekistans and took the first set to a tiebreak which the Nigerian side won 7-3 to take the first set 7-6(3).
In the second set, the Nigerian boys only needed a break to ensure a famous 6-4 win against Uzbekistan and take a 2-1 lead into the fourth rubber of the Davis Cup tie.
Ilya Ignatov, ATP 1945 played as Uzbekistan’s number one player in the reverse Singles, and had Nigeria’s Adeleye to contend with to bring his country back into the tie.
The Uzbekistan player started the match brilliantly, taking a 2-0 lead against Adeleye but after holding his serve, the Nigerian number one-ranked tennis player, buoyed by the crowd, broke Ignatov and held serve to take a 3-2 lead.
He would take another break before serving out the second set, to win the first set 6-3.
Ekiti State-born Adeleye closed out the second set with a brilliant 6-4 win to give Nigeria a 3-1 lead and effectively qualify the 74th ranked tennis nation for the World Group II for the first time in about three decades.
A visibly elated Nigerian Tennis Federation, NTF President, Victor Ochei beaming with smiles after the promotion had been confirmed, emphasised that it was a fulfilment of a promise to deliver a World Group II ticket.
“The target is actually World Group I as I mentioned during the press conference we had a few weeks ago, and this is just one of the steps to ensure that happens,” he stated.
Nigeria’s number one player, Michael Adeleye also expressed confidence in the ability of the team to reach the destination. “We believed in ourselves and worked hard to achieve the win and with the same level of determination and hard work coupled with the support of Nigerians as witnessed in Lagos we will get to the top.”
Nigeria will know their World Group II opponents when the International Tennis Federation, ITF releases the draw for the event on conclusion of all World Group I playoff ties.
As the World Group II tie is scheduled to hold in September, 2026 with the venue still to be announced, the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club 1895 is not backing off.
Club President, Dr Adeyinka Adewusi, said the club stands as the premier lawn‑tennis hub on the continent, boasting the best facilities in Africa, which have attracted world‑famous players from the globe.
“We have had the biggest names in tennis visit our club – Arthur Ashe, the Williams sisters, and many others,” he said.
“Our commitment to maintaining top‑tier facilities means we are ready at all times and we would be glad to host Nigeria’s matches again” Dr Adewusi declared.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
