Nigerian teenager Ogunsakin wins in his historic debut at Roland Garros Juniors

David Akande

Nigerian Oluwaseun Ogunsakin made history at the Roland Garros Junior Championships on Thursday after defeating Frenchman Lenny Couturier 6-2, 6-4 in the first round of qualifying in Paris.

The 17-year-old also became the first recorded Nigerian player to participate in the qualifying rounds of the junior Grand Slam event. Facing the local player on the clay courts of Stade Roland Garros, Ogunsakin looked composed from the start, taking control of the rallies and breaking through at key moments on his way to a straight sets victory.

Ogunsakin arrived in Paris after an impressive performance at the J300 Charleroi tournament in Belgium, where he stunned third seed Kanta Watanabe 6-2, 7-6(5) to reach the quarterfinals before eventually bowing out of the competition.

His career in Belgium had put him in contention for a Special Exemption spot in the Roland Garros Juniors main draw due to the calendar clash between the two tournaments, but the Nigerian teenager still grabbed his chance to qualify with both hands.

The victory over Couturier sends Ogunsakin to the second qualifying round as he continues his bid to become the first Nigerian to reach the main draw of a junior Grand Slam tournament.