Top Nigerian tennis stars, Abdulmumuni Babalola and Lawal Shehu have been sent packing from the ongoing Dala Hard Court Tennis Championship holding in Kano.
Just like he did in the second round where he sent one of the senior players, Monday Igbinovia packing, Joseph Imeh added reigning Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN Open champion, Babalola to his list of casualties with  an emphatic 6-4, 1-0 (ret) win.
Although there was nothing much that separate the two players as at the time Babalola, Nigeria’s number 2 ranked player crashed out of the game, he was played shot-for-shot by the 17-year-old Imeh, who broke the Ibadan-based player in the first game of the second set.
Reaching the semi final of a major national championship for the second successive week, capped a great year for Imeh, who has vowed to improve on his performance.
Imeh was a semi finalist at the NPA Open held last week in Abuja, which helped him break into the top 10 ranking for the first time in his career, and he could finish the year in the top five if he emerges champion at the Pyramid City. He can also claim the Masters Championship billed for Lagos next week.
Thomas Otu was also impressive as he defeated another senior player Shehu Lawal 6-4, 6-4, while Clifford Enosoregbe triumphed over Emmanuel Idoko 6-3, 6-2 to remain on course for another title following his winning the NPA Open in Abuja.
Sylvester Emmanuel completes the semi final line-up as he battled hard to edged Nonso Maduekwe 4-6, 7-5, 7-6 (5).
Sarah Adegoke booked a final spot in the women’s singles with a comprehensive 6-1, 6-0 win over Ronke Akingbade and she will face the Aanu Aiyegbusi, who defeated old Queen of the court, Christie Agugbom, 7-6, 6-7, 6-2.
The finals of the men and women doubles hold on Friday, while those of the singles are scheduled for Saturday.