Strong international roster vies in ATP tennis

MANILA, Philippines - A former World No. 8 player and a pair of fast-rising stars from the US and India will banner a strong cast when the Philippines hosts the first ever $75,000 ATP Challenge from Jan. 18 to 24 at the newly refurbished Rizal Memorial Tennis Center.

Russian Mikhail Youzhny, currently ranked No. 33 in the world who reached as high as No. 8 seven years ago, has confirmed participation in the biggest tennis championship the country is hosting outside the star-studded International Tennis Premier League every December the past two years.

American Frances Taifoe, being picked as the next big US star, will play as one of the wild card entries while Indian ace Somdev Devvarman, ranked 177th in the world, is also competing coming off a victory in a Challenger event in Illinois.

Also in the fold are Dutch Sijslong Igor, 28, who just won a Challenger in Brescia, Italy; Radu Albot of Moldova, ranked No. 121 in the world; Vanni Luca of Italy, who is at 106th; and No. 110 Lukas Lacko of Slovakia.

“This is one of the biggest, if not the biggest, we’re hosting. This is next-level tournament and the players coming over are regular campaigners in the ATP tour,” said Philta vice president and Davis Cup administrator Randy Villanueva.

Filipinos Francis Casey Alcantara, Jeson Patrombon and Alberto Lim Jr, will lead the country’s bid as wild card entries while Fil-Am Ruben Gonzales, Patrick John Tierro and Fil-Am Mico Santiago will try to crash into the main draw as they vie in the qualifying round which starts tomorrow.

The event will coincide with the opening of the newly constructed covered main playing area where the likes of Youzhny will likely play.