Macie Carlos and Rovie Baulete hacked out victories in contrasting fashions to lead the charge of the fancied bets in the opener of the Cebuana Lhuillier Girls’ Tennis Challenge Under-14 and U-16 qualifying tournaments at the Makati Sports Club recently.
Last year’s runner-up Carlos disposed of Corazon Lambonao, 6-2, 6-2, in the 14-U side while Baulete recovered from a second set defeat by dominating the super tiebreak, 6-4, 6-7(4), 10-2, in the 16-U play of the tournament sponsored by Malayan Insurance, Dunlop and Makati Sports Club.
In other 14-U results, Mica Emana overpowered Tennielle Madis in the tiebreak, 6-2. 3-6, 10-0, while third ranked Tiffany Nocos upended No. 2 Julia Ignacio, 6-4, 6-1, in the Unified Tennis Philippines-sanctioned event, which serves as a qualifier for the Women’s Tennis Association Future Stars Finals in Singapore next month.
Justin Maneja, on the other hand, whipped Shedel Gica, 6-3, 6-0, while second seed Bliss Bayking blitzed past Ellaine Bahonsua, 6-0, 6-2, in the 16-U category.
“Your worthy performance earned you a spot in this tournament and I believe the winners will make the country proud in the WTA Future Stars,” said Cebuana Lhuillier president/CEO and UTP founder Jean Henri Lhuillier.
All participants received certificates of recognition from UTP officials for emerging the top-ranking players in their respective categories.