Balce, Santiago hurdle rivals in Phinma Week-2

MANILA, Philippines - Maia Balce and Frances Santiago carved out victories in varying fashions to roll into the second round of the girls’ singles in the Phinma-PSC International Juniors Tennis Championships  – Week 2 yesterday at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center.

Balce, who reached the quarters in Week 1, broke Takako Aikawa once in the opening set then dominated her Japanese rival in the next to complete a 6-4, 6-2 victory for a Last 16 clash with the winner between third seed Ma Qi Li of China and Yuelin Chen of Taiwan at presstime.

Santiago, on the other hand, upended Singaporean Angeline Devanthiran in a thrilling three-set duel, 6-4, 2-6, 7-6(5), to advance and make up for her first round setback in last week’s start of the two-stage circuit, a Grade 4 ITF (International Tennis Federation) 18-Under category event sponsored by the Phinma Group of Companies, Philippine Sports Commission and Mariposa Foundation.

But Santiago will have her hands full against No. 6 Momoka Chimura of Japan, who trounced Korean Soomin Kim, 6-0, 6-2, in the second round of the week-long event sanctioned by the Philippine Tennis Association and backed by Asiatraders Corp for the Dunlop balls.

Meanwhile, top seed Khim Iglupas launched her drive for a second straight crown as she blasted Japan’s Nanaka Takeuchi, 6-2, 6-1, to likewise ease through the Last 16 phase where she will slug it out with either Thai P. Sukkanha or Japan’s Asumi Kanazawa.

But while Iglupas, Balce and Santiago advanced, three other local bets fell by the wayside with Dominique Ong absorbing a 6-1, 6-4 loss to Thai Thassaporn Naklo and Colleen Sioson succumbing to Japan’s Anri Nagata, 6-0, 6-3.

Shaira Rivera also bowed to Sateka Sueno of Japan, 6-0, 6-0.

In other results, Japan’s Asumi Kanazawa toppled Thai Priyachanok Sukkanha, 6-2, 7-6(5), Ayumi Miyamoto, also of Japan, repulsed India’s Shehal Mane, 6-0, 2-6, 6-2; and Kazakhstan’s Zhibek Kulambayeva trounced Taiwan’s Han Chi Chen, 6-1, 6-4.