Seeded players struggle in 1st rd

Qualifiers to the main draw fought hard against their seeded foes but eventually bowed in the first round of singles competition in the Cebuana Lhuillier Tennis Circuit yesterday at the Baseline Recreation Center tennis courts.

Cebu’s top bet Bernardine “Niño” Siso, who was part of four qualifiers that survived the two-day qualifying round, bowed to 11th-seed Ruel Capangpangan, 4-6, 6-1, 1-6, yesterday.

With the victory, Capangpangan  advanced to the second round where he will face the winner of the match between third-seed Patrick John Tierro and Joshua Cano. The Tierro-Cano game was still being played as of press time.

Some  matches were moved to a later schedule since most of the earlier games went the distance.

One example was the match between ninth-seed Arcie Maño and qualifier Yoyoy Villa, which was won by the former in a grueling three-setter,  6(5)-7, 7-6 (1), 6-1.

Villa shocked Maño in the first set but came back strong behind his accurate drop shots to eventually outlast his foe.

In the second round, Maño will go up against fifth-seed Ronard Joven, who routed another qualifier in Shanur Khandaker, 6-4, 6-2.

SEEDED PLAYERS
MARCH ON
Another member of the country’s top 16 who almost slipped was seventh-ranked Alexander Lazaro, who played against one of Cebu’s promising young talents in Jacob Lagman.

Lagman put on an impressive show but couldn’t get rid of Lazaro, eventually falling 1-6, 6-2, 4-6.

Lazaro will face Juvan Divinigracia in the second round. Divinigracia won over Romel Openiano, 6-4, 6-1.

Leander Lazaro, Alexander’s brother, won over John Marie Altiche, 6-4, 6-1, to also secure a seat in the second round, where he will play against the winner between top-seed Johnny Arcilla and Roderick Lazaro.  Roderick is also the brother of Alexander and Leander.

Carcar City’s top player Israel Abarquez won over Rollyto Litang, 6-3,6-3, and will face eighth-seed Kim Ivor  Saraza next. Saraza defeated Stefan Suarez, 6-1,6-1.

Mark Alcoseba advanced to the second round after beating Kennex Abadia, 7-5, 6-3.

Alcoseba will wait for the winner between second-seed Elbert Anasta and Amiel Aya-ay.
Kenneth Salvo, the 16th seed, cruised past Kyle Parpan, 7-5, 6-4, to move on.  Tony Sagansay also won over Franklin Encarnacion, 1-6, 6-0, 6-2.