Burundi’s Sada Nahimana progressed to the semifinal of the women’s draw at the 2019 Lagos Open but men’s top seed Skander Mansouri’s bid for a fifth ITF title of the season ended prematurely after illness forced him to withdraw from his quarterfinal match on a rain-disrupted Friday.

Nahimana, Africa’s top-ranked junior player, downed Dutchwoman Lexie Stevens 6-2, 6-4 to set up a semifinal meeting with Sweden’s Fanny Ostlund who upset third seed Nastja Kolar 6-3, 6-4 in the quarterfinals.

Another upset also ensued on the courts of the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club when India’s Riya Bhatia stunned second seed, Sandra Samir in an easy 6-2, 6-3 win to reach the semifinals.

Bhatia’s next opponent is yet to be decided after rain interrupted the match between Laura Pigossi and Rutuja Bhosale with Brazilian Pigossi leading 7-5, 4-3 before the rain-induced suspension.

The downpour also meant that men’s singles quarterfinals games already in play had to be called off with play expected to resume on Saturday.

Before the players were forced off the court, 2015 champion Aldin Setkic led second seed Aziz Douglas 2-1 in the first set while Mehluli Sibanda trailed 1-3 against Calvin Hemery.

Zimbabwe’s Takanyi Garanganga progressed to the semifinal without stepping on court after his match with top seed Skander Mansouri was called off with the Tunisian having taken ill and forced to withdraw from the tournament.

Garanganga will play the winner between Calvin Hemery or Mehluli Sibanda for a place in the final when play resumes on Saturday, 12 October.