Martin, Suarez gain in Phinma Int’l Jrs qualifier

MANILA, Philippines - Jacob Martin and Justin Suarez came away with victories in varying fashions as the two Filipino bets stayed in the hunt for four berths in the main draw of the Phinma-PSC International Juniors Tennis Championships which get going tomorrow at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center.

Martin whipped Korean Hyun June Jeong, 6-3, 6-2, while Suarez survived Finland’s Richard Wohlstrom, 7-6(5), 6-4, in the first round of the two-day qualifiers yesterday. But the two local bets will have their hands full in today’s resumption of the elims with Martin facing off with top seed Kittirat Kerdlaphee of Thailand and Suarez taking on No. 3 Enzo Chua of Singapore.

Only four berths are being disputed by 21 aspirants in the first of two weeks of the annual event sponsored by the Phinma Group of Companies, Philippine Sports Commission and Mariposa Foundation and sanctioned by the Philippine Tennis Association.

Monica Cruz also kept her bid alive in girls’ play as she eased out Canadian Cassie Chung, 6-1, 6-3, in the event, a Grade 4 ITF (International Tennis Federation) 18-Under category.

Meanwhile, ranking Philta players Stefan Suarez, Marcen Gonzales, Justin Prulla and Cenon Gonzales Jr. gained wild card berths in the main draw along with Shaira Rivera and Frances Santiago in the girls side while Hong Kong’s Hei Ching Claudia Ng and Justine Sophie Kwan Tung Leong also earned slots in the main draw based on a swap between the Phl and HK for their respective ITF 18-Under tournaments.