Owusu Manford advance without hitting a ball

Accra, March 9, GNA - Owusu Manford, third seed at the on-going Areeba Open in Accra advanced into the quarter finals without hitting a ball when he had on a walk over after his opponent, Richard Tetteh failed to turn up for their third round encounter.

Manford one of the tournament's favourites, is currently riding on a lucky crest wave as one opponent after the other, are either disqualified or fail to turn up.


Manford, number one seed in last year's event drew a bye in the first round and just before his second round match with Matthias Nunoo, his opponent unceremoniously left the court during warm up to engage in a fight with a fan, prompting the referee to disqualify him. He would next meet Jean Sogodo who advanced into the quarters, after demolishing Joe Doe-Adjani 6-1, 6-1 in a one sided encounter. Number two seed Sansan Danbire who is yet to drop a set so far matched into the quarter finals after chalking a 6-4, 6-2 win. He still awaits his next opponent, which will be the winner of the third round match between Milapa Akomlo and Agboton Toussaint.


Daouda Ndaye, the tournament's top seed continues his march toward the finals after easily brushing aside Owusu Ansah 6-4, 6-0 to set a date with Richard Kpodo who ended Emmanuel Dowouna with upset run of 6-2, 6-4 win. Unseeded Dowouna earlier in the second round defeated number nine seed Sadiq Zakaria.


Albert Authur, ranked fourth and the finalist in last year's event, fought his way from a set down to win his third round encounter 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-3 against Edmund Quarcco.


Next on his path in the quarters is a mouth watering encounter with Eric Atobaba who caused an upset in his third round match with 11th ranked Fred Egyir, eventually winning the three set encounter 2-6, 6-0, 6-3.

In the ladies event, which is at the semi finals stage, Number one seed Kate Coleman who drew a bye into the quarter finals, disposed of Ibrahim Maraim 6-1, 6-4 to book a semi finals date with Abigail Mensah who saw of the challenge of Mercy Kudjoe in straight sets 6-1, 6-3. The other semi final encounters will be between Sadietou Matou, the tournament's number two seed who beat Abelematou Odoi 6-2, 6-4 and Anita Kudjoe whose opponent Mamoud Mariam retired in the second set with thrilling 2-0 win having losing the first set 6-2.


The tournament continues on Friday with the men's quarter and semis and the semi finals for the ladies.


The winner of the men's single event will receive an amount of 750 dollars with the runner up taking home 500 dollars whilst the winner of the ladies event will receive 500 dollars with the second placed player taking 300 dollars for her effort.


Semi-finalists in the men's category will share 400 dollars whilst each quarter-finalist receives an amount of 140 dollars each. Ladies who reach the semi-finals will take home 150 dollars each whilst quarter finalist will share 400 dollars.


In the men's double event, the winners will receive 500 dollars while the losing finalist will take home 300 dollars whilst in the ladies event, the winners take home 300 dollars with the runners up taking 200 dollars.