Unranked pair stuns second-ranked Fukuda and Takahashi to win Phinma crown

MANILA, Philippines -- Yuki Takamura of Japan and Wu Tung Lin of Chinese Taipei stunned second seed Sora Fukuda and Tusuke Takahashi of Japan, 6-4, 4-6, 10-8 to clinch the boys' doubles title in the Phinma International Juniors (Week 2) at the Rizal Tennis Center.

It was a sweet win for Takamura and Wu, who won the crown even though they're unranked while it ended up a sorry loss for both Fukuda and Takahashi, who came here as the favorites being the highest seeded pair standing at No. 2 following the early exit of top pick Congsup Congcar and Teeradon Tortrakul of Thailand.

Takahashi and Fukuda though made up for their bitter doubles' setback by hurdling their respective foes in the semifinals to arrange an all-Japanese finale in the boys' singles division.

Taskahashi, seeded No. 3 and responsible for eliminating the last Filipino bet in 13-year-old Alberto Lim in the quarters, overpowered No. 5 Ahmed Deedat Abdul Razak, 6-1, 6-1, while No. 7 Fukuda had a tougher time before turning back compatriot Shoma Kato, 7-6(5), 6-4.

In the girls' section, Yukina Saigo and Nozomi Ohya completed an All-Japan affair after arranging an interesting title shodown today.

Saigo overcame a fiesty Pranjala Yadlapalli in a gripping 6-1, 1-6, 7-5 triumph while Ohya was a little bit quicker in disposing of American Gabriella Umoquit, 6-3, 6-4, in arranging a virtual title showdown between giant-slayers.

The day before, Saigo dropped the upset axe on top seed Chang Ya Ting of Chinese Taipei, 0-6, 6-2, 7-5, while Ohya slammed the door on No. 2 miki Kobayashi also of Japan in a more merciless 6-3, 6-4 win.

Meanwhile, No. 1 Marian Capadocia, a Filipina who topped the Week One singles event, and Kobayashi were playing Ohya and Saigo at press time for the girls' doubles crown.