Fukuda caps sweep of Phinma jrs crowns

MANILA, Philippines - Japanese Shiori Fukuda proved too strong for Indonesian Rifanty Kahfiani, coming away with an emphatic 6-2, 6-0, to capture the girls’ singles crown and complete her sweep of four titles in the Phinma International Juniors tennis tournament at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center yesterday.

Fukuda, who beat compatriot Saya Ito, 6-3, 6-4, in Week I of the two-week circuit sponsored by the Phinma Group of Companies and sanctioned by the Philippine Tennis Association, had an easier time disposing of Kahfiani, whom she dominated with her solid all-around game.

She earlier teamed up with Chihiro Muramatsu to topple local aces Roxanne Resma and Khim Iglupas, 6-1, 6-4, to duplicate the Japanese duo’s equally impressive romp in Week I of the event backed by the Philippine Sports Commission, Dunlop Fort All Court Balls, Wilkins and Viva Mineral Water.

Japan’s Shoma Kato, meanwhile, foiled Taiwanese Lin Wei-de’s back-to-back title bid as he hacked out a 6-2, 6-4 victory to snatch the boys’ singles plum.
The second-seeded Kato put up a strong start to baffle Lin and sustain his form all throughout – never giving his top-ranked rival a chance for a comeback – then held sway in the second set to complete the sweep.

Japan’s Shohei Chikami and Yousuke Watanuki also foiled Lin and Malaysian Zhe Han Low, 7-6(3), 6-3, to annex the boys’ doubles plum in the event which featured some of the top juniors players in the Asia Pacific region and the country’s leading netters.