John Atta Mills Tennis Open - Quartey, others in bright start

Daniel Anum Quartey, Ghana's number three seed yesterday beat David Bona 6-2, 6-3 in the men's singles of the second edition of the John Atta Mills Tennis Open tournament which got underway at the tennis arena of the Accra sports Stadium.

Quartey, who lost the title to Jeff Bagerbaseh last year, began the match on a good note winning the first three games of the first set, while his opponent struggled to find answers to his (Quartey's) heavy strokes.

"I have more skills and experience in this game than my competitor. Although he was proving to be stubborn, I knew I would beat him. Just like last year, I am targeting the final and the ultimate prize so I can't take chances," revealed an elated Quartey in an interview.

In other matches, Emmanuel Plange won 6-2, 6-1 against Ibrahim Yussif; Isaac Titriku triumphed 6-2, 6-4 over Francis Gbolonyo, while Andrew Adu Appiah finished 6-2, 6-2 against George Nyarko.

International Tennis Federation (ITF)-ranked player, Reginald Okantey, is also in contention for the GH¢7,500 cash prize after defeating Geovani Adinyira 6-2, 6-1 to progress to the Round of 16 in the men's singles.

Other categories to be competed in at the one-week tournament are boys Under-14 and girls Under-16.
The runner-up in the men's singles division will receive GH¢3,500, while winners and semi-finalists in the junior categories will receive GH¢1,000 educational scholarship.