Alexa Joy Milliam and Justine Hannah Maneja ruled the Cebuana Lhuillier Girls’ Tennis Challenge Under 14 and Under 16 Qualifying Tournament that ended last Sunday at the Makati Sports Club in Makati City.
Milliam and Maneja will represent the country in the Women’s Tennis Association Future Stars Tournament.
Displaying championship composure, top-seed Milliam completely dominated Jufe-Ann Cocoy, 7-5, 6-3, in a fast-paced finals match to capture the 14-under title in the tournament sanctioned by the Unified Tennis Philippines and supported by AXA Philippines, Standard Insurance, Dunlop, and Makati Sports Club.
Third-seed Maneja, meanwhile, pulled off a huge upset in disposing of top-ranked Jenaila Rose Prulla, 6-4, 1-6, 10-2, in the 16-and-under category.
“Thank you and congratulations to all the participants, most especially our two champions, Alexa Milliam and Justine Maneja. This competition has brought out the best in both of you and I hope you will showcase the talents and skills that we have witnessed here as you vie for that WTA Future Stars Tournament title. Goodluck and make your country proud,” said Jean Henri Lhuillier, UTP president and Cebuana Lhuillier president and CEO.
Milliam outclassed Mica Ella Emana, 6-2, 6-3, while Cocoy recovered just in time to beat third ranked Tiffany Claire Nocos, 1-6, 6-3, 10-8, to arrange the 14-under finals match.
Maneja, meanwhile, held off Sydney Ezra Enriquez, 6-2, 6-3, while Prulla ousted second seed Amanda Gabrielle Zoleta, 6-1, 6-2, in the 16-under semi-finals duel.
Milliam and Maneja will compete against other top junior playersfrom across the Asia Pacific region in the WTA Future Stars Tournament to be held from October 20 to 28 in Shenzhen, China.