Tema-based tennis players, Joseph Anakpe and Sakina Adams, emerged champions at this year’s Ashfoam Hard Invitational Tournament held in Kumasi over the weekend.

The tournament, in its second edition, saw increased participation with over 20 players from Sunyani, Accra, Ashaiman, and Tema vying for top honors.

Adams, seeded No. 2, dominated the women’s singles final, while Anakpe displayed remarkable resilience to overcome home favorite Hope in a thrilling men’s singles match.

Anakpe pocketed a cash prize of GH¢4,000 for his victory.

In the junior category, Joseph Narh Dok was crowned champion in the Boys Under 13 event, taking home GH¢600. Runner-up Raman Iddrisu received GH¢400.

Adams’ path to victory was swift and decisive. She dismantled Blessing Owusu on Court 2, securing a 6-0, 6-0 win in under an hour. Her superior movement, consistent play, and precise shot selection were key to her commanding performance.

Owusu found it difficult to establish any rhythm against Adams’ relentless pressure, as the latter controlled the match from the baseline to the net.

“I won’t say it was easy. She played well but I had to play and win,” Adams told Luv FM after her triumph. “My target is to win more trophies for KNUST. It’s my dream to play in one of the colleges in the USA.”

The men’s final was a hard-fought battle. Anakpe and Hope were evenly matched when a downpour halted play in the third set, with Hope leading 6-5.

Before the interruption, both players had won a set each – Hope claiming the first 6-2, and Anakpe responding with a 6-2 victory of his own.

Following a one-hour delay, the match resumed. Anakpe demonstrated remarkable composure, ultimately winning the deciding set in a tiebreak 7-3, securing the match 6-2, 6-2, 7-6(3).

The Ashfoam Hard Hitters Invitational Tournament showcased the steadily increasing competitiveness and quality of tennis within the university system.

KNUST Tennis Club Chairman, Prof. James Kyekyeku, stated, “The vision is to prepare the players for the University team. Because we are a university club, we want to nurture our players to compete and win against other universities, and ultimately, to become professionals who can earn a living from tennis.”

Image Source: MYJOYONLINE