Arevalo, Zoleta move to PLDT-Smart proper

MANILA, Philippines - Former RP No. 1 Czarina Mae Arevalo and Bambi Zoleta downed their respective rivals in varying fashions to secure berths in the main draw of the $10,000 PLDT-Smart ITF Women’s Circuit Week 2 tournament firing off today at the Rizal Tennis Center.

The Bangkok-based Arevalo, who was booted in the first round of the Holcim/ITF Women’s Circuit Week I last week, overpowered Australian Veronika Makovey, 6-1, 6-1, while Zoleta needed an extra set to turn back a tough Sari Baba of Japan, 6-1, 3-6, 6-4, in the final day of the two-day qualifying phase of the event sponsored by PLDT/Smart, Holcim, Phinma and the ITF Grand Slam Development Fund.

Shannin Mae Olivarez, however, fell short of her bid as she bowed to Korean You Ju Hee, 5-7, 0-6, in the other match.

Also advancing to the main draw of the week-long tournament, backed by Tecnifibre Balls, Powerade, Viva Mineral Water and the Philippine Sports Commission, were German Katharina Lehnert, American Ivana King, Taiwanese Liu Chi Fan and Chinese Zhang Nan Nan.

Lehnert trounced Japanese Yoko Naito, 6-2, 6-1; King downed Chinese Zhou Ya, 7-5, 6-0; Liuedged Indian Ashmitha Easwaramurthi, 6-4, 7-5; and Zhang ousted Korean Kim Jung Eun, 6-2, 6-2.

Meanwhile, Maricris Fernandez begged off from competing this week due to foot injury she sustained in Week 1 of the circuit where she beat Japan’s Yoko Naito, 6-1, 6-2, in her first match after a long layoff from big-time competitions. But she was booted out in the second round by Korea’s Han Sung Hee after she retired following a 3-6 setback in the opening set.

This leaves wildcards Fil-Am Riza Zalameda and sisters Anna Clarice and Anna Christine Patrimonio as the other RP bets in the tournament headlined by Week 1 champion Lee Ye Ra of Korea.

The 22-year-old Lee outlasted compatriot Yoo Mi, 6-4, 6-6 (5-2-ret.), to cop the Week 1 title worth 40 ITF ranking points last Sunday.