Lehnert ousts Thai, gains semis

MANILA, Philippines - Fil-German Katharina Lehnert upset top seed Nungnadda Wannasuk of Thailand, 6-4, 6-4, to barge into the semifinal round of the ICTSI-ITF Women’s Circuit at the Rizal Tennis Center yesterday.

The 16-year-old Lehnert, a qualifier whose mother Imelda Lungsod is a native of La Union, shoots for a berth in the finals against another Thai, Luksika Kumkhum, who also stunned No. 4 Paengthan Pliphuech, 6-7(4), 7-5, 6-2.

Second seed Gally de Wael foiled No. 5 Elodie Rogge-Dietrich of France’s upset bid as she rallied from a set down to complete a 1-6, 6-3, 6-3 win.

De Wael set up a semis showdown with No. 3 Piia Suomalainen of Thailand, a 6-4, 6-3 winner over American Channelle Nguyen.

Meanwhile, Lehnert, a ninth grader from Hannover, Germany, hopes to represent the country in future international tournaments like other Fil-foreign players such as Cecil Mamiit, Eric Taino and Treat Huey.

“I would love to do that, if given the chance, I will represent the Philippines,” said Lehnert.

Her mother said they are willing to come to the Philippines and represent the country in the Asian Games or Southeast Asian Games.

Lehnert has caught the attention of the Filipino crowd at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center with her combined stunning looks and solid ground strokes in this ITF ranking tour event presented by the International Container Terminal Services, Inc., and supported by the Philippine Sports Commission, Slazenger Balls, Chris Sports, Viva Mineral Water, Powerade, Coca-Cola Bottlers Phils., Inc., and Century Park Hotel.

She started playing soccer, but shifted to tennis and now ranked 102nd in the world. She will be competing in the country for the next three weeks, which will include participation in the PLDT-Smart/ITF Women’s Circuit 2, the Phinma Juniors Championship and the PCA Open.

“Lehnert could win this tournament. I think our press people should highlight her more as being a Filipino-German. Her mom is a Filipino. It’s the next best thing to having our own girl competing against some of the world’s best,” said Phinma executive Oscar Hilado, a major backer of Philippine tennis.