Visiting Hong Kong netters won their opening matches in yesterday’s start of the 14th Tru-Flex National Age Group in four separate venues in Lapu-Lapu City.
Six netters from Hong Kong advanced to the next round in their respective categories.
In the boys division, Ka Yau Leung marched on to the second round with a 6-4, 6-4 thrashing of Aaron James Suyo in the 18 & Under division.
In the 14 & Under, Tristan Kwok advanced after dismissing Nathaniel Carl Alipe, 6-4, 6-2. Kwok also won his opening match in the 12 & Under after surviving Venz Anton Louise Alforque, 6-2, 7-6 (7-4).
In the girls division, Chui Kei Leung had to work hard to advance to the next round in the three categories she is competing.
In the 12 & Under, Leung routed Shyryn Salazar, 6-1, 6-1, to arrange a second round battle against fellow Hong Kong native Adithya Karunaratne, who blanked Ellaine Rose Bahonsoa, 6-0, 6-0.
Another Hong Kong netter—Win Ka Lin, also advanced to the second round with a 6-0, 6-0 rout of Alessandra Villanueva.
All three also stayed alive in the 14 & under with Karunaratne demolishing Elaine Rose Bahonsoa, 6-0, 6-0; Leung posting a 6-1, 6-1 victory over Shyryn Salazar and Lin once again lambasting Alessandra Villanueva, 6-0, 6-0.
Leung also won her match against Tifany Claire Nocos, 6-0, 6-0, in the 10 & Under Unisex.
CEBU NETTERS
The Cebuano netters however, also made their mark with Jana Pages clinching a semifinals ticket in the 18 & Under girls with a 6-1, 6-1 demolition of Nathalie Alipe. She will next face Khim Iglupas who defeated Toni Rose Raymundo, 6-1, 6-2.
In the 16 & Under, Zethley Alferez also moved on to the second round with a 6-0, 6-1 dismissal of Shyne Villareal.
In the boys division, Changmai Necesario was handed a quarterfinal ticket on a silver platter after his opponent withdrew.
Lapu-Lapu’s Joshua Kinaadman defended his home turf with a 6-1, 0-6, 10-7 outsmarting of Clyde Dale Bienes to advance to the quarterfinal round.
In the 14 & Under, John Clyde Laquio also advanced after defeating Fernando Po, 6-1, 6-0.
Matches will continue tomorrow in all four venues with 10 & Under Unisex, 12 & Under boys and girls to be played at the Lapu-Lapu Tennis Court; 14 & Under and 16 & Under boys at the Mactan Benito Ebuen Airbase tennis court; Haruhay Dream Resort for the 16 and 18 & Under girls and Amores tennis court in barangay Gun-ob for the 14 & Under girls and 18 & Under boys.