Togolese wins Milo Tennis Open Championship

Christian Balaise Gakpo, a Togolese Davies Cup player, emerged winner of the men's event of this year's Milo Tennis Open Championship played at the Accra Sports Stadium on Saturday.

Playing a determined game, Gakpo defeated Kwesi Ahinkorah by 6-4, 7-6 in the first two sets of their game to win the competition sponsored by Nestle Ghana Limited, producers of Milo. Gakpo received a cash prize of 1.2 million cedis, trophy, Milo products and a sports bag, while runner-up Ahinkora pocketed 800,000 cedi, Milo products and a sports bag.

In the ladies event, Ivy Aryeetey also beat Ayishetu Karimu 6-2, 7-5 to win the competition and took away a cash prize of ?800,000, a trophy, Milo products and a sports bag while Karimu took home 600,000 cedis, Milo products and a sports bag.

In the junior divisions, Emmanuel Mensah beat Baba Eric 3-6, 6-4 and 7-5 in the Under-16 category of the boys' event to win the championship. Mensah would also have the opportunity to embark on an International Tennis Federation (ITF) European tour sponsored by ITF. Ernestina Atiso also won the female under-16 event by defeating Abigail Opoku Mensah 7-5,6-2 in the first two games.

Winners of both the boys and girls events of the Under-16 category received one pair of trainer, 300,000 cedis scholarship bursary, tennis rackets, ball, Milo products and a trophy. Kanbete Andrews also beat Atikpo Michael 6-3,6-4 to win the boys Under-14 division, with Emmanuella Cudjoe beating Kate Coleman 6-3,6-2 to emerge the Girls Under-14 champion. Those in the Under-14 division also received one pair of trainer, ?200,000 scholarship, rackets, balls, trophy, and Milo products.