2026 NASCO/ITF J30 Junior Championship: Agunbiade closes in on quarter-final berth

Posted : 04 June 2026

Toluwalashe Agunbiade strengthened her bid for a place in the quarter-finals of the ongoing 2026 NASCO/ITF J30 World Tennis Tour Junior Championship after recording her second consecutive singles victory in Abuja.

The Nigerian teenager defeated Destiny Tomizayi 7-5, 6-1 in a Girls' Under-18 Group F encounter on Wednesday at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium Tennis Complex.

With the victory, Agunbiade moved to six points from two matches, maintaining a perfect record in the round-robin competition and boosting her chances of progressing to the knockout stage.

Drawn alongside Destiny Tomizayi, Omoyinka Ayinla, and a bye in Group F, Agunbiade had to battle hard in a tightly contested opening set before taking full control of the contest.

After edging the first set 7-5, she raised her intensity in the second set, breaking serve on several occasions to complete a dominant 6-1 victory.

Speaking after the match, Agunbiade expressed confidence ahead of her final group game.

"This is my third participation in an ITF tournament. So far, everything has gone well.

"I have won my singles and doubles matches and now have six points from two singles victories. I have one more group match to play and I am confident going into it.

"All I need to do is stick to my tactics, follow my game plan, and give my best. Hopefully, I can secure another win," she said.

Agunbiade also continued her impressive form in the doubles event, teaming up with Lithuania's Roneta Kacinskaite to secure a place in the semi-finals.

The pair defeated Mary Azi and Glory Olademeji 6-2, 6-2 in the quarter-finals and will now face Khadijat Mohammed and France's Jessica Togbe for a place in the final.

Kacinskaite, who has also accumulated six points from two singles victories, expressed optimism about reaching the quarter-finals.

"It was a great match. My volleys were good and my serve worked well.

"I think I still need to improve a little on my receiving, but overall I am pleased with my performance," she said.

Elsewhere in the girls' singles competition, Success Ogunjobi cruised past Opeyemi Olademeji 6-0, 6-1, while Khadijat Mohammed overwhelmed Jamila Sani 6-0, 6-0.

Emmanuella Kwange defeated Sri Lanka's Rashmi Wijewardana 6-3, 6-3, Daisy Okechukwu beat Blessing Peter 6-1, 6-0, and Salvation Alex overcame Gift Gamaniel 6-1, 6-1.

Mary Azi and Nora Awode progressed through walkovers against Winner Gakpo and Nenrot Suwa respectively.

In the boys' singles category, Amir Mohammed dispatched Cameroon's Zolly Bwelle Gaetan Ylann 6-0, 6-0, while China's Hengzhi Cui recorded an identical victory over Austin Ogbole.

American Elliott Awomoyi defeated Mohammed Abdullahi 6-4, 6-1, Gbolahan Olawale beat Olorun-Damilola Agunbiade 6-2, 6-0, and India's Jagruth Kasireddy secured a 6-4, 7-5 win over Herman Aframai. Segun Monday also advanced with a 6-1, 6-2 victory over Liberia's Levi Baker.

The championship, which features players from 14 countries, is being played in a round-robin format with competitors divided into eight groups in both the boys' and girls' categories. Group winners will advance to the quarter-finals.

The first leg of the tournament runs from June 1 to June 7, while the second leg is scheduled to take place from June 8 to June 13.

The impressive performances by Toluwalashe Agunbiade and her fellow competitors highlight the high level of talent on display at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium Tennis Complex. With the round-robin stage intensifying, the battle for quarter-final spots promises more exceptional tennis action in Abuja. The junior players remain focused on executing their game plans as they target success across both legs of the championship.

2026 NASCO/ITF J30 Junior Championship: Agunbiade closes in on quarter-final berth

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