Korean, Chinese rule Asian U-14

MANILA, Philippines - Fancied Oh Chan Yeong of Korea and Chinese Cao Si Qi came away with victories in contrasting fashions to top their respective divisions and complete a sweep of the two-leg ITF Asia 14 and Under Development Championships–Division I at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center yesterday.

Oh, who foiled Filipino Eric Olivarez Jr.’s bid in three in Thursday’s semis, thwarted a spirited challenge by No. 5 Jurabek Karimov of Uzbekistan in the opening set then held on to pound a 7-6 (5), 6-2 victory to clinch the boys’ division crown in the event sanctioned by the International Tennis Federation.

Cao, on the other hand, reasserted her mastery over compatriot Li Yue Nv as she fashioned out a 6-2, 6-3 victory for the girls’ crown in the event held under the auspices of the Philippine Tennis Association. Cao also dominated Li, 6-1, 6-1, in last week’s Week I finals.

It was a dominating performance by Cao, who never dropped a set this week, including her straight-set victories over Rifanty Dwi Kahfiani of Indonesia, Bae Dohee of Korea and No. 3 Pranjala Yadlapalli of India.

Unlike Cao, Oh was pushed to the limit with Olivarez forcing him to a decider before yielding, 6-0, 4-6, 6-3. Against the power-hitting Karimov, Oh struggled in the first set that went into the tiebreak before regaining his rhythm in the second.

Oh was also dragged into a three-setter by Hong Kong’s Hong Kit Wong, 6-2, 4-6, 10-4, in Tuesday’s second round.

Cao later teamed up with Yan Qian Ting to smash Kuo Pei Hsuang of Chinese Taipei and Li Yue Nv, 6-3, 6-2, in the doubles finals.

Oh also made it a twin kill as he partnered with Seong Chung Yun for a 7-5, 6-4 win over China ’s Teng Ma and Zhang Ting Hui in the boys’ doubles finals of the event backed by the Philippine Tennis Academy, Mariposa Foundation, Dunlop Fort Balls, Magnolia Purewater, Century Park Hotel, Fresh Fruits, Fiesta Brands, Cebuana Lhuillier, Phinma and the Philippine Sports Commission.