Lu, Plipuech set title clash

MANILA, Philippines - China’s Lu Jia Xiang stopped Fil-German Katharina Lehnert, 6-1, 6-2, to arrange a title duel with Thai Peantarn Plipuech, who stunned compatriot and top seed Luksika Kumkhum in the 2011 Smart-ITF Women’s Circuit Week 1 ladies singles at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center yesterday.

Lu proved too tough for Lehnert, scoring on her strong backhand returns in the early going and her power serves to finish off her rival.

Plipuech, on the other hand, rode on the momentum of her big opening set win and romped off with a 6-4, 6-1 victory over Kumkhum to gain a crack at the crown in the tournament sanctioned by the International Tennis Federation and Philippine Tennis Association.

Meanwhile, the finals will be played at 9 a.m. today at center court. The other backers of the event are the International Tennis Federation (ITF), Philippine Tennis Association,