Russian wins title over Alcantara

Russian qualifier Artem Ilyushin completed a Cinderella finish with a stirring 6-4, 6-3 victory over Francis Casey Alcantara yesterday to rule Week 1 of the 2007 Phinma International ITF Junior Circuit at the Rizal Tennis Center.

The power-hitting Ilyushin, 16, overpowered Alcantara, a semifinalist here last year, to post the remarkable victory over the second seeded Filipino netter that gained him 30 precious ITF points

“I can’t believe I’ve won,” said Ilyushin, whose ITF ranking of 570 pales in comparison to Alcantara’s 204.

It was Ilyushin’s first ITF title after several foiled bids, including a first round defeat at the hands of Filipino Kyle Dandan in last year’s edition of the event.

Alcantara, 15, was the last in the Russian’s long list of victims, including No. 3 Pablo Olivarez of RP, No. 5 James Duckworth of Australia and top pick Huang Liang Chi of Chinese Taipei.

“Although I would have liked to win, I’m still proud of my effort,” said Alcantara, a Cagayan de Oro City native who will be the top seed in Tuesday’s Week 2 of the same event.

No. 7 Bianca Hincu of Romania made it a European sweep of the singles event after she edged Cody Morris, 6-4, 7-6 (3), for the girls’ crown.

The 15-year-old Hincu, ranked 418th by the ITF, was the last seeded player standing after favorites Satjaporn Mahajaroenkul of Thailand and No. 2 Jessica Marie Agra of RP bowed out one after the other.

Mahajaroenkul crashed out in the second round following a 2-6, 3-6 setback to Australian Ashling Sumner while Agra took a 3-6, 3-6 opening round setback to Japanese qualifier Riko Fujioka.

It was a double setback for Alcantara as his tandem with Duckworth bowed to Taiwanese Huang and Li Chieh-Lin, 6-3, 2-6, 6-3 in the doubles final.