Nigeria's top tennis player, Daniel Adeleye, staged a gritty comeback to beat Uzbekistan's Abdulaziz Usmonjonov at the Davis Cup World Group II Playoffs held on Saturday in Lagos.
Adeleye showed composure and grit to record a 4-6, 6-2, 6-4 victory after dropping the opening set, earning Nigeria a crucial point and reigniting the home side’s challenge in the tie.
Usmonjonov started brightly, using his consistency and court coverage to edge the first set.
However, Adeleye responded like a top-ranked player, raising his intensity in the second set as he began to dictate rallies and put pressure on his opponent’s serve, racing to a 6-2 win.
The deciding set was tightly contested, with both players refusing to give ground.
Backed by a lively Lagos crowd, Adeleye displayed resilience and maturity in the key moments, breaking late before calmly serving out the match to seal a memorable victory.
Speaking after the match, the Nigerian number one highlighted the importance of staying mentally strong.
“I knew I had to be patient and trust my game, even after losing the first set. Playing at home gives me extra motivation, and I’m happy I could deliver for the team,” Adeleye said.
Adeleye's win kept Nigeria's Davis Cup hopes alive, highlighting his crucial role in the team's World Group II Playoffs campaign.
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