Capadocia humbles Lehnert, retains single title

MANILA, Philippines - Marian Jade Capadocia, enjoying top form, claimed her third singles crown in as many weeks as she upended top seed Fil-German Katharina Lehnert, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, to retain the crown in the Philippine Columbian Association Open tennis championships presented by Cebuana Lhuillier at the PCA shell-clay courts in Paco, Manila yesterday.

Johnny Arcilla remained king of shell claycourts as he outlasted Fil-Am Ruben Gonzales, 7-5, 7-6 (7-1), 0-6, 7-6 (7-5), to capture an unprecedented seventh men’s singles title later in the day.

Arcilla fired a down-the-line winner, ending a marathon four-hour duel that capped the 32-year-old ace’s triumphant campaign he highlighted with victories over Fil-German top seed Marc Sieber.

Capadocia, 17, went to her baseline game to rally from a 1-3 deficit in the decider where she deliberately slowed down the pace, forcing Lehnert to lose her patience and commit a series of unforced errors.

Lehnert survived two match points at 15-40 to force a deuce only to yield the match on two hits that went long, giving Capadocia the victory.