Uzbek star reaches ITF quarterfinals

Uzbekistan Federation Cup team member Akgul Amanmuradova banked on a steady baseline game to reach the quarterfinals of the $10,000 Union Cement-ITF Philippines Women’s Circuit 1 at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center yesterday.

The world’s No. 812 Amanmuradova, an 18-year-old native of Tashkent, scored a 6-3, 6-3 victory over Chinese Zhang Yao to advance against second seed and Malaysia national player Chin Bee Khoo.

Khoo, ranked No. 571 in the world, stamped her class over Gabriela Velasco-Andreau of Spain, 6-1, 6-2.

"It was a tough match. I was trailing, 0-3, in the first set but I fought back to win. I just kept my focus in the second set to win the match," said Amanmuradova, who is playing for the first time in the Philippines. She was runner-up in the $10,000 tournament in Hyderabad in India two months ago and was a semifinalist both in the singles and doubles in the $10,000 Mysore event early this year.

"I never played Khoo before but I watched her match and she’s a very good player. She has played more tournaments and has a better world ranking. I will try my best," said Amanmuradova, ranked No. 3 in her country.

Earlier, top seed Japanese Kumiko Iljima defeated Lam Po-Kuen of Hong Kong-China, 7-6 (4), 6-0, to set up a quarterfinal meeting with Uzbek wild card Ivanna Israilova, a 6-3, 7-5 winner over Chinese Dong Yan-Hua.

Japanese qualifier Mari Inoue and Kim Kilsdonk of the Netherlands ousted their seeded rivals to complete the quarterfinalists in this event supported by the ITF Grand Slam Development Fund, Wilson balls, Truflex, Manila Midtown Hotel and Philippine Sports Commission.

Inoue, ranked No. 1064 in the world, eliminated third seed Elisabeth Bahn of Austria, 7-6 (4), 2-6, 6-2, to advance against fifth seed and world’s No. 604 Wang I-ting of Chinese Taipei, who beat Australian Cassandra Barr, 6-4, 6-1.

Kilsdonk, on the other hand, came back from a set down to beat seventh seed and world’s No. 657 Radhika Tulpule, 4-6, 6-2, 6-3. Kilsdonk will meet another Indian, Sania Mirza, the $10,000 Hyderabad singles champion this year.