Emerging national junior tennis star, Goodnews Aina, Thursday in Abuja achieved a monumental upset when she beat Nigeria’s No.1 and top seed, Khadijat Mohammed in the Quarterfinals of the 2025 CBN Senior Tennis Championships 6-3, 0-6, 6-3.
Aina, 14, who won the CBN Junior Championship Girls 16 event in March had a shaky start but soon attained her cruising altitude to out-rally the top seed in the first set. Mohammed, known for her consistent ground strokes and powerful forehand found her range to overwhelm the junior Champion in the the second set.
Undaunted, Aina took a bathroom break, came back and broke serve in the opening game and weathered all the bullets the top seed fired at her to emerge victorious.
Many observers who watched the match attributed the victory to Aina’s mental toughness, defensive skills and all-round court play.
“Khadijat is a very good player and as a CBN Junior Champion before us, we looked up to her. I decided to take it one point at a time and give her a good fight. It turned out to be a win,” Aina told reporters after the match.
Her coach, Wunmi Ogunsakin, said, “We are glad that all the time, energy and resources we are investing on our players in Ekiti State are beginning to yield results. I am really proud of her.”
Aina will take on Bright Emmanuel who defeated Etoro Bassey while USA-based Osabuohen Adesua who outplayed No.2 seed, Mary Udofa, will take on Blessing Omotayo. Omotayo eliminated Rebecca Ekpeyong in straight sets.
It was really a day of upsets as the No.1 men’s seed, Daniel Adeleye was also eliminated in the Quarters by Emmanuel Michael in straight sets. The other men’s semifinalists are Canice Abua, Uche Oparaoji and Ikenna Okonkwo.
Among the dignitaries who watched the matches were Godwin Kienka, director of the International Tennis Academy which runs most of the junior tournaments that expose and challenge the players from age 10 and Fidel Pepple, former GM Corporate Communications of the NNPC.
Extrasportnigeria 
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