RP netters rip Indians, advance to q’finals

Kyle Joshua Dandan survived a tough second set that sent the Philippines to the quarterfinals of the Junior Davis Cup Asia-Oceania qualifying zone at the Manila Polo Club covered courts yesterday.

The 15-year-old Dandan beat Kinshuk Sharma, 6-1, 7-6 (16-14), in the second singles to give the Philippines a 2-0 victory over India.

Ralph Kevin Barte delivered the first point for the Philippines after pulling off a 6-0, 2-6, 6-4 victory over Agnel Gladwin Peter in the first singles.

Dandan and Barte were scheduled to play Navneetha Kannan Baskaran and Sharma in the doubles later in the day.

The Philippines, which topped Group 2 with a 3-0 win-loss record, faces seventh seed Chinese Taipei at 10 a.m today.

Chinese Taipei topped Group 4 following a 2-1 upset win over fifth seed Indonesia, 2-1. Hsu-Chun Huang outclassed Lenz Theodor, 6-1, 6-1, Hsien-Yin Peng conquered Agung Bagus Dewantoro, 6-2, 6-2, while Dwi Asmara and Dewantoro outplayed Hsu-Chun Huang and Chun-Teu, 6-3, 6-4.

Top seed Australia, second seed Japan and third seed Thailand also secured berths in the single round-robin quarterfinal of this event presented by BNP Paribas and supported by Wilson balls and Astoria Plaza Hotel.

Australia defeated Hong Kong, 3-0, with victories coming from Stephen Donald over Ryan WanTat Cheung, 6-2, 6-1, Patrick Nicholls over Ambrose Wong, 6-0, 6-1, and Joel Linder and Donald over Ryan Wan-Tat Cheung and Wong, 6-1, 6-0.

Japan was assured of seat in the next round after posting a 2-0 victory over New Zealand. Fumiaki Kita defeated Marcus Daniell, 6-4, 6-1, and Kei Nishori blanked Jackson Bodle, 6-0, 6-0, while Yuki Matsuo and Kita were scheduled to play Daniel and Bondle in the doubles.

Thailand demolished Malaysia, 3-0, to sweep Group 2. Kittiphong Wachiramanowong blasted Zhia Hwa Chong, 6-0, 6-0, Peraklat Siriluethaiwattana trounced Kwanh Xin Mak Pee, 6-0, 6-2, while Peerapach Tupwong and Wachiramanowong defeated Lhong and Mohd Fazree Said, 6-2, 6-2.