Saraza, Talatayod stay on course

Manila, Philippines - Top seed Ivor Kim Saraza and No. 2 Deo Talatayod both needed to squeeze out tough second-set victories to roll past their rivals and advance to the semifinal round of the boys’ 21-under class of the 16th Juntaphil age group tennis tournament at the Baguio Tennis Club outdoor courts in Burnham Park Wednesday.

Saraza blanked Arjohn dela Cruz in the opening frame but struggled to finish off his challenger for a 6-0, 7-5 victory and a semis duel with third seed Alberto Villamor, who primed himself up for a crack at the finals with a 6-0, 6-0 rout of Darwin delos Reyes in the upper half of the draw.

Talatayod also dominated Radharani Reyes in the first set but like Saraza went through a wringer in the second to hack out a 6-1, 7-5 win for a semis clash with unfancied Gabriel Gutierrez, who stopped Joselito Cortes, 6-3, 3-6, 10-5.

The four slug it out today for berths in the finals of the premier category of the Group 2 tournament sponsored by First Gen Corp. and Smart Communication and backed by Tecnifibre, APM Agricom, Pet One, Accel, Kimura Chaves Enterprise, Friends of Juntaphil, Gigi Travers, Orlando Galang, Vic Buencamino Jr., Enrique Zalamea and Victor Co.    

Talatayod also leads the field in the 18-under class, beating Andre Brilliantes, 6-0, 6-1, for a last 16 clash with Argil Lance Canizares while the second seeded Villamor squares off with Albert Lim Jr. after scoring a walkover win in the first round.

Eric Olivarez Jr., who shocked top seed Kyle Joseph in the first round of the 16-under group, whitewashed Mohamad Amerol, 6-0, 6-0, to reach the quarters against the winner of the Christian San Andres-Albert Lim match.

Others who advanced were Al Canizares, Joshua Cano, No. 5 Juan Alfonso Opulencia, fourth seed Kyke Parpan, No. 8 Daniel Villasenor and second seed Angelo Asistio.

San Andres, meanwhile, toppled Renzo de Ocampo, 6-1, 6-0, to lead the quarterfinalists in the 14-under class, including No. 8 Ivan Gonzales, No. 3 Olivarez, Jerome Romualdez, Marc Agner, No. 4 Marcen Gonzales, No. 6 Julian Dayrit and second seed Villasenor.

In girls play, top ranked Anne Castillo routed Angela Gonzales, 6-0, 6-0, to advance to the quarters of the 16-under division while top seed Maia Balce and No. 2 Isabela Orteza lead the quarterfinalists in the 14-under category.