U.S., Russia, 55 others for Governor's Cup Lagos tennis tourney

PLAYERS from the United States (U.S.), Russia and 55 other countries have been confirmed for the 12th Governor's Cup Lagos Tennis Championship serving off on October 13 at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club (LLTC).Speaking during a briefing to unveil this year's tourney, Chairman of the Local Organising Committee (LOC), Pius Akinyelure, said there has been improvement in the number of entries, with over 57 nations expected this year compared to 35 that featured in the 2011 edition.He described this as a sign of the global acceptance the championship was receiving: 'In 2011 we had entries from 35 countries, including Nigeria. This year, signals from the entries received so far show that we will top 35 countries by significant increase.'Entries are in from 57 countries already, according to the International Tennis Federation. This is a sure sign of the global acceptance of the championship, and perhaps more importantly, the confidence that the players have in the organisation and delivery of the competition.'The LOC boss listed the expected nations as U.S., Spain, France, Russia, Britain, Slovakia, Poland, South Africa, Ukraine, Italy, Cameroun, Ghana, India, Sweden, Tunisia, Denmark, Bulgaria and Pakistan, among others.One of the players that caused an upset at the French Open in Roland Garros this year, Russian Nina Bratchikova, now ranked 92nd by the Women Tennis Association, will participate in the tourney.Also this year, Akinyelure disclosed that the organisers would sign a memorandum of understanding with JC Ferrero Equelite Tennis Academy of Spain, which would enable junior players and coaches undergo training at the centre. The Governor's Cup junior tourney will also debut this year, as well as a youth clinic.
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