McDan Open Championship: Na-Adrago survives Beninois scare
Former All Africa Games doubles gold medalist, Wisdom Na-Adrago, survived a scare to progress to the next stage of the ongoing McDan West African Open tennis competition after a hard-fought 6-2, 5-7, 6-2 victory over Benin's Theophile Sedogo.
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The clash between Na-Adrago, who won gold at the 2015 AAG in Congo Brazzaville and his Beninois opponent lasted a gruelling two hours and 25 minutes under the scorching sun at the Accra Sports Stadium.
He breezed through the opening set 6-2 before dropping the second set in stunning fashion against his tricky opponent who fought back to win win 5-7.
However, Na-Adrago steadied himself and ran out with a 6-2 victory in the final set.
Na-Adrago later disclosed in an interview that it was sweet revenge for him after he lost to Sedogo three years ago during a competition in Togo.
"I have changed my style and he has changed his as well but I remember losing to him three years ago in Togo. He is a very tough opponent so it was a very tough match," he said.
"By God's grace I started well based on my game plan, I lost the second set when I failed to capitalise on my advantage to finish that set but I was aggressive in the final set and thankfully I won".
Na-Adrago also expressed gratitude to his teeming fans who were at the courtside to cheer him on.
In the pick of yesterday's action, Isaac Titriku defeated Eugene Hammond 6-1, 6-1, Daniel Quartey beat Patrick Tenkoreng 6-1, 6-2, Bernard Dugbah recovered from a poor start to win 7-6 (4), 6:2 against Benjamin Fumi and Ivorian Joel Meda stunned home favourite Fred Egyir 6-3, 6-3.
In the women's draw, Follykuaye Esperance of Benin progressed 6-3, 6-1 at the expense of Augustina Yamak, Nigerian Angel Mcleaon thrashed Yayra Komashie of Ghana 6-0,6-0, Lizzy Airhunwunde Osas from Nigeria walloped Genevive Kattah of Ghana 6-0,6-0, Cindy Aidoo defeated her fellow Ghanaian Vanessa Akuoko 6-3,6-0 and Jean Kandangah of Togo stunned number two seed Magloire Yakpa of Benin 4:6, 7:6 (5), 6:2.