Lopez nails spot in Phinma tennis

MANILA, Philippines - Local bet Louise Alexandra Lopez subdued Yuko Kimura of Japan, 6-3, 6-2, to join eight other Filipinos in the main draw of the girls division in the Phinma International Junior Tennis Championship Week 2 at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center yesterday.

Mariel Zaire Ante of the US, Natsumi Chimura of Japan and Yi-Chi Ma of Chinese Taipei also secured berths in the tournament proper of the event presented by Phinma Properties.

Ante outlasted Akane Sakuda of Japan, 6-4, 6-4; Chimura whipped Katrina Orteza of the Philippines, 6-0, 6-1; and Yi scuttled Yulia Sudnikova of Russia, 6-2, 6-1.

Yong Joo Jung of South Korea and Singekrawee Wattanakul of Thailand also made it to the main draw of the boys division.

Meanwhile, local aces Clarice Patrimonio, Tamitha Nguyen, Marinel Rudas and Maria Capadocia see action today along with wild cards Akio Sy, Jurence Mendoza, Jacob Lagman and Kim Saraza.   

Focus will also be on Kathinka Von Deichmann of Leichtenstein and Nuttanon Kadchapanan of Thailand, who are seeking their second straight crowns.