Unheralded Rudas rips Coyiuto in Andrada Cup

MANILA, Philippines - Unfancied Marinel Rudas shook the leader board with a 6-4, 7-5 victory over second seed Samantha Coyiuto as she stormed into the semifinal round in the upset-marred 23rd Andrada Cup Group I tennis tournament at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center yesterday.

Rudas broke Coyiuto once in the opening set and held serve throughout then outlasted the second seeded bet in the next to complete the straight-set win in the quarterfinals of the girls’ 18-and-under class.

Akiko de Guzman upended Nicole Cassandra Eugenio, 7-5, 6-3, to set up a semis duel with No. 1 Marian Jade Capadocia, who made short work of Macy Gonzales, 6-1, 6-0, in other 18-under singles action last Tuesday.

Eric Olivarez Jr. also surprised No. 5 Gabriel Gutierrez, 6-4, 6-2, to advance to the quarterfinals in the boys’ 18-under singles where he will face No. 4 Romnee Kyle Joseph, a 6-3, 6-3 winner over Jose Nicholas Tano in the tournament backed by the Philippine Sports Commission.

In the other reversal in the premier boys’ class, Christian San Andres humbled No. 7 Juan Alfonso Opulencia, 6-3, 6-2, to set up a clash with No. 3 Joshua Andrew Cano, who routed Paolo So, 6-2, 6-1.

In the girls’ 14-under singles of the event held in honor of Philippine sports commissioner Buddy Andrada, Francesca Santiago repulsed No. 4 Ingrid Mariz Gonzales, 6-0, 4-6, 10-8, to advance to the semis where she will take on No. 1 Erika Mae Manduriao, who blasted Caitlin Tordesillas, 6-0, 6-2.

Arwin Ayyalobn Lumaban also stole the thunder from the favorites as he eliminated No. 6 Enrico Luis Ong, 6-1, 6-3, in the boys’ 14-under singles where he will meet No. 3 Arthur Craig Pantino, who walloped Jacob Co, 6-0, 6-1.

The division’s top seed, Julian Dayrit, remained unscathed following an emphatic 6-2, 6-2 win over Carlos Jose Austria for a quarters meeting with No. 8 Sohaimen Mama, who turned back Tomas Puno, 3-6, 6-4, 12-10, victory.

No. 2 Rafaella Villanueva, one of two tennis-playing daughters of Phl Davis Cup administrator Randy Villanueva, held her ground in the girls’ 12-under singles category, beating Sam Asistio, 6-1, 6-1.