Sri Lanka and Philippines Break into the Final Qualifying of ITF WJT Girls – Bangkok

The ITF World Junior Tennis Competition of Asia/Oceania Pre-Qualifying Zone commenced on Friday, 4th March in Colombo, Sri Lanka hosted by Sri Lanka Tennis Association.

Twelve boys’ and Eight girls’ teams, from a total of 17 countries, will fight their way through tough regional pre-qualifying competition in order to make a place for their nations in the Final Qualifying which will be held at Bangkok in the month of April.

WJT Girl’s event begins with the round-robin stage, where the nations are divided into two groups of four teams. Top 2 teams of each group qualify for the knock-out semifinals, while the remaining nations would go into play-offs to battle it out to decide the final positions.

In the Boy’s event, round-robin stage is divided into four groups of four teams. Top 2 teams of each group will line up for play off 1-8 and would compete for top 2 position of the event, while the remaining nations go into play-offs and battle it out to decide the final positions.

In the event, Sri Lankan girls’ recorded a convincing victory over Philippines in the finals with a score of 3-0 at the SLTA Courts yesterday.

Anjalika Kurera won the first singles against Carlos Isabela 4/6, 7/5, 6/2 while Anika Seneviratene bagged the second singles by beating Eala Alexandra 6/2, 6/1.

The doubles match also turned out to be an easy one for Sri Lankan Girls as Anika Seneviratene and Anjalika defeated Eala Alexandra and Vitaliano, Miles Alexandra 6/0, 6/0.

Both the finalist teams, Sri Lanka and Philippines have been promoted to the WJT final qualifying event of 2016 which will be held in Bangkok next month.

On other hand, Seeded No. 1 Kazak boys beat Sri Lankan counter parts 2-1 and Kuwait defeated number 2 seeded Syria 3-0 in the semifinals and secure their places in the World Junior Tennis Competition, Final Qualifying of Asian Oceania zone.

Kazakhstan and Kuwait will meet today in the finals to establish the Top team of this event.

Source: Asian Tennis Federation

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Jeson Patrombon, Diego Dalisay off to roaring starts in ITF Men’s Futures 2

FILIPINO-Spaniard Diego Dalisay and Jeson Patrombon roared to a strong start as they advanced into the second round of the 34th Philippine Columbian Association (PCA) Open-Cebuana Lhuillier ITF Men’s Futures 2 at the PCA clay courts in Paco, Manila.

The 16-year-old Dalisay outclassed fellow local bet Rolando Ruel, 6-1, 6-4, while Patrombon hammered out a 6-3, 6-3 victory overJapanese rival Shu Saito.

“Maganda ang kundisyon ko ngayon kaya confident ako sa loob ng court. Kabisado ko rin kasi ang laro niya [Saito] kaya alam ko kung saan dadalhin ‘yung bola,” said the 22-year-old Patrombon, who is aiming to eclipse his second-round finish in the Manila ITF Men’s Futures 1.

The Iligan-born Patrombon will face Kunal Anand in the second round after the India native shocked seventh seed Hiromasa Oku of Japan, 6-1, 6-4, in the tournament supported by Cebuana Lhuillier, Puma, Dunlop, The Philippine Star, Head, Babolat, Compass/IMOSTI and Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao.

Dalisay, whose mother is from San Nicolas, Batangas, also has a daunting task ahead as he squares off with fourth pick Arata Onozawa of Japan, who annihilated local top-seed Patrick John Tierro, 6-0, 6-2.

Spain’s top pick Enrique Lopez-Perez and Australia’s second seed Harry Bourchier also sailed through the next round via contrasting wins in the event sponsored by Whilpool/Fujidenzo, Broadway Motor Sales Corp. Coca-Cola Femsa Philippines, Tyrecorp Incorporated, Pearl Garden Hotel, Metro Global Holdings Corporation, Avida, PVL Restaurant, Mary Grace Foods, Inc., Seno Hardware, and Wire Rope Corporation.

Lopez-Perez barely broke a sweat against Chinese-Taipei’s Lee Kuan-Yi, 6-2, 6-0. Bourchier, on the other hand, turned back resilient Japanese foe Masato Shiga, 7-6 (4), 7-5.

 Eight-time PCA Open champion Johnny Arcilla, Australian Open juniors doubles titlist Francis Casey Alcantara, Elbert Anasta, and Bryan Otico will take to the courts Wednesday in the qualifying round.

 Arcilla will battle Chen Tin of Chinese-Taipei, Alcantara shows his wares against Ren Nakamura of Japan, while Anasta and Otico will rely on their home court advantage against their Japanese opponents, No. 6 Makoto Ochi and Soichiro Moritani, respectively.

 A total of $15,000 is up for grabs in the meet, with the champ getting $2,160 while the runner-up takes home $1,272.

Source: Spin.ph

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