Team Nigeria have recorded a massive boost in their quest for promotion to Davis Cup World Group II after two hard-fought victories in the Singles event on Tuesday, 16 July, 2024.

In what was a tie between the least ranked team and the highest placed country at the Davis Cup Africa Group III Qualifier in Abuja, the players from Nigeria, buoyed by the home support stunned Zimbabwe with a 2-0 lead in the tie.

Michael Emmanuel, who was playing his first ever match in a Davis Cup competition, outplayed Courtney Lock in a final-set game which ended 2-6, 6-1, 6-3

The match which was more or less a stop-start due to the rainfall, eventually gained momentum after the restart and lasted over an hour inside the centre court of the tennis section at the National Stadium in Abuja.

That victory for the first-timer was followed up by Christopher Bulus, who ensured that he continued his winning streak at the Davis Cup competition.

Bulus, based in the United States, also came from behind to cause an unprecedented upset by defeating Benjamin Lock 3-6, 6-2, 6-3 in what is arguably the biggest win of his tennis career till date.

The Nigerian, ranked 1174 on the ATP gained control of the game and ensured an emphatic defeat of the 31-year-old world number 419 player.

The third and final rubber will be played on Wednesday ahead of Nigeria’s next round of matches. 

But no matter what the outcome of the match may be, Nigeria already took a comfortable 2-0 advantage over their more experienced and higher ranked opponents.

Matches resume by 10am on Wednesday, 17 July, as Nigeria continue their quest for promotion to World Group II.