Korean ousts last Pinay netter

MANILA, Philippines - Korean qualifier Kim Jung Eun overpowered Marinel Rudas, 6-2, 6-1, yesterday to complete the Philippines’ shutout in the ICTSI-ITF Women’s Circuit at the Rizal Tennis Center yesterday.

The taller, power-hitting Kim proved too much for 16-year-old Rudas, who went the way compatriots Anna Christine Patrimonio, Tamitha Nguyen and Marian Jade Capadocia took in the first round Tuesday.

Patrimonio, Nguyen and Capadocia lost to Germans Katharina Lenhert, 0-6, 0-6, and Jesica Sabeshnikaya, 2-6, 0-6, both of Germany and Nimisha Mohan of India, 5-7, 6-3, 6-1, respectively.

Thailand, meanwhile, stamped its class in the $10,000 tournament presented by ICTSI with top pick Wannasuk beating Japan’s 6-2, 6-0. No. 4 Varatchay Wongtennachai and No. 7 Peangthan Pliphuech also trounced Korea’s Han Na Lae, 7-5, 6-0, and Japan’s Hiromi Okazaki of Japan, 6-1, 6-0, respectively.=

Meanwhile, top seed Peangthan Pliphuech and fellow Thai partner Varatchaya Wongteanchai were upset in the doubles competition as Koreans Ji-Young Kim and

Jin-Hee Kim of South Korea scored a 6-7 (3) 6-4 [10-8] victory.

The Filipina pair of Aileen Rogan and Rudas, also took a 2-6, 0-6 beating from third-ranked Nicha Lertpitaksinchai and her fellow Thai partner Nungnadda Wannasuk.

Tournament favorite and No. 2 seed Gally De Wael of Belgium and her partner Elodie Rogge-Dietrich of France crushed RP’s Marian Jade Capadocia and Marina Novak, 6-4, 6-3.