Espinosa reigns at home

CEBU, Philippines - Cebuana Hannah Grace Espinosa prevented a big upset loss as she defeated Mindanao’s Maricel Mirabueno to grab the women’s open title in the Cebu leg of the inaugural Peugeot Philippine Tennis Open yesterday at the Cebu Country Club.

Espinosa felt the pressure being the top seed but she successfully overcame the challenge from Mirabueno after posting a 6-3, 6-4 victory.

Espinosa played several women's open but hasn't won a title yet prior to her match with Mirabueno.

The 33-year-old Mirabueno had nothing to lose as she just joined the event after being invited by her doubles partner Floresa Alesna, but she pulled surprises in the earlier rounds including victories over second-seeded Maria Dominique Ong, Zethley Mae Alferez and No.3 seed Erika Manduriao.

Mirabueno was highly-spirited as she and Alesna won the women's doubles title before her match with Espinosa. The Mirabueno-Alesna tandem outsmarted Ingrid Gonzales and Kendies Thea Malinis, 6-1, 6-1.

The Linamon, Lanao del Norte-native Mirabueno was off to a good start as she controlled the game by displaying composure in connecting with her serve and drop shots.

 But Mirabueno slowed down which Espinosa capitalized as the latter zoomed to four straight game points. Mirabueno cut the lead to only two, but Espinosa was determined enough to end the set with a crosscourt unreturned.

With the momentum on her side, Espinosa build a 2-0 lead but Mirabueno bounced back to tie the action at 2-all.  Espinosa then got back the lead 3-2 after engaging in the longest game with five deuces.

"I had good opponents earlier in the tournament but Mirabueno is definitely a tough one,” said Espinosa, who now plays for the National University.

Aside from earning a slot in national finals in Manila, Espinosa also pocketed P20,000, free accommodation for the finale plus some giveaways from Wilson. (FREEMAN)