Walkover win for Arcilla in PCA tennis q’finals

TOP SEED Johnny Arcilla inched closer to an eighth championship title as the Butuan City-native Davis Cup veteran earned a free ride into the semifinal round of the 32nd Philippine Columbian Association (PCA) Open tennis tournament last Thursday at the PCA clay courts.

Arcilla barged into the semis without lifting a finger after his quarterfinals foe, Kim Saraza, withdrew from the match due to a left ankle injury.

Saraza suffered the injury during his Round of 16 7-6 (5), 6-1 victory over Dheo Talatayod.

The walkover victory of Arcilla will pit him against Leander Lazaro in the semis pairing after Lazaro escaped with a 2-6, 7-6 (2), 7-5 victory over Davis Cup player Elbert Anasta in a gruelling two-hour match.

Arcilla’s closest rival and no.2 seed, Patrick John Tierro, also secured a semis berth with an easy 6-4, 6-2 win over Ronard Joven to set up a semifinal battle versus Marc Reyes, a 6-1, 6-2 winner over Alvin Ruel.

The ladies open, on the other hand, will feature a semis battle between top seed Marian Jade Capadocia and Khim Iglupas after both dispatched separate foes in contrasting manners.

Capadocia etched an easy 6-3, 6-1 win versus Grace Espinosa, while Iglupas had to bounce back from an opening-set loss before edging out Maika Tampoco, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2.

The other semis match up will pit Anna Clarice Patrimonio vs. Edilyn Balanga. /Correspondent JADE S. VIOLETA