Aurum Players Light Up the CBN Open

The CBN Open in Abuja delivered one of its most gripping finals in recent years, as two Aurum Tennis Academy players, Michael Emmanuel and Ikenna Okonkwo, went head-to-head in a battle that had the crowd on edge until the very last point.

After months away at the ITF Centre in Tunisia and a recent stop in Mexico, Ikenna and teammate Seun Ogunsakin returned home for the prestigious event, joined by Emmanuel, who has been steadily making his mark on the Nigerian tennis scene. Seun’s run ended earlier in the competition, but Ikenna powered through to the semi-finals, where he staged a stunning comeback against Canice Abua to book his place in the championship match.

The final set the stage for an Aurum showdown — Emmanuel versus Okonkwo — and it did not disappoint. Emmanuel struck first, taking the opening set with authority, while Okonkwo faltered. But the 17-year-old dug deep, rallying to claim the second set and swing the momentum.

The deciding third set was nothing short of electric. Both players traded blows in a marathon battle that stretched into a tense tiebreak, with every rally drawing gasps from the crowd. After hours of relentless tennis, Emmanuel finally closed it out, sealing the title.

Though Emmanuel emerged the victor, the match was a celebration for Aurum Tennis Academy as a whole. Two of its brightest young talents showcased all their experience and world-class potential — proving once again that Nigerian tennis has a new generation ready to rise.