Zoleta trips Korean in Asian 14-U

Top seed Filipino Noelle Nikki Zoleta rallied past second seed Korean Han Na-Lae, 6-0, 3-6, 6-3, yesterday to capture the Asian 14-Under Series girls’ singles title for the third straight year at the Ynares Socio-Cultural Sports Center outdoor court in Pasig City .

After losing the second set due to errors, Zoleta regained her form and raced to a 5-0 lead in the third set. Han, who earlier suffered leg cramps, took the next three games at 3-5 but Zoleta broke her opponent’s serve on the eighth game to win the match.

"She (Han) improved on her game in the second set, making good placement shots while I wasn’t returning the ball well. Good thing, I was able to come back and control the third set," said the 14-year-old Zoleta, who competed in the World Junior Championships in Indonesia early this year.

Banking on her solid forehand, Han came up with successive winners to take a 5-1 lead in the second set. Zoleta managed to win the next two games at 3-5 before the Korean held her serve to win the set and tie the score at 1-set all.

Fourth seed Noh Sang-Woo of South Korea defeated third seed Nuttorn Tanchainant of Thailand , 6-0, 6-0, to pocket the boys’ singles title in this tournament sponsored by the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. and Wilson balls.