Tierro, Krawczyk advance to PCA quarters

MANILA, Philippines - Former Davis Cuper Patrick John Tierro and Fil-Am teen sensation Desirae Krawczyk rolled past their respective rivals to clinch berths in the quarterfinal round of the 29th Philippine Columbian Association Tennis Open at the Plaza Dilao courts in Paco, Manila yesterday.

The third-seeded Tierro dominated veteran local campaigner Alex Lazaro, 6-4, 6-2, while the 16-year-old Krawczyk knocked off third pick Michelle Pang, 7-5, 6-4, to advance to the last 8.

Second seed Johnny Arcilla also came away with a 6-2, 6-0 rout of Arvin Ruel to remain in the hunt for his sixth straight title in the P500,000 tournament presented by Cebuana Lhuillier.

Arcilla will take on the winner between No. 7 Rolando Ruel and Arcie Mano, who are playing at press time.

Krawczyk, whose mother hails from Cagayan, fought her way back from a 0-3 deficit with superb shot making to turn back Pang, a national team mainstay.

The Palm Springs, California native then thwarted Pang’s fightback in the second set to annex the victory.

Krawczyk goes for a semis berth against unheralded Maika Tanpoco, who also posted an upset win over sixth pick Regina Santiago, 7-5, 1-6, 7-5.

“It was a tough game,” said Krawczyk, who is coming off a victory in the ITF-sanctioned junior tournament at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center last week.

Tierro, meanwhile, will square off with either Italy-based Marc Reyes or Kim Ivor Saraza, who are also playing each other at press time.

Tamitha Nguyen completed the day of upsets as she booted out fifth seed Aileen Rogan, 6-3, 6-4, to likewise advance to the quarters.

Fancied sisters Anna Clarice and Anna Christine Patrimonio, meanwhile, continued to stamp their class with the former overpowering Marian Jade Capadocia, 6-4, 6-1, and the latter downing Linda Santos, 6-1, 6-1, to stay on course of their title bids.

Clarice and Nguyen dispute the first semis berth while Christine will tangle with No. 7 Martina Guba, who bested Akiko de Guzman, 6-4, 6-3, in the other featured quarterfinal match.

In the other women’s results, Louise Alexandra Lopez grounded Zhane Quitara, 6-3, 6-1, and No. 4 Marinel Rudas eliminated Macy Gonzales, 6-4, 6-3, to reach the quarterfinal round.