Francis Casey Alcantara, Ralph Kevin Barte and Pablo Olivarez II pulled off tough wins over their respective rivals yesterday to barge into the semifinal round in Week 2 of the Phinma International ITF Junior Circuit at the Rizal Tennis Center.
The top seeded Alcantara, who settled for a runner-up finish in the first leg of the event last week, survived a first set scare and went on to hack out a 7-6 (3), 6-2 victory over sixth pick Sorapon Imprapal of Thailand.
He faces Olivarez in the semis. The third seeded bet overcame the big-hitting No. 8 Vedran Ljubicic of Croatia to prevail, 6-0, 6-7 (5), 6-4.
Second seed and world No. 235 Barte, on the other hand, had a surprisingly easy route to the semis, blasting Thai No. 7 Phaninthon Pakpoomkamol, 6-4, 6-4, to forge a duel with Australian No. 5 James Duckworth, a 6-2, 6-2 winner over Taiwanese Chang Yu Chi.
Earlier, Duckworth avenged his sorry setback to Week 1 champion Artem Ilyushin of Russia with a come-from-behind 5-7, 6-4, 6-2 win in Thursday’s second round action.
Bambi Zoleta, meanwhile, crashed out following a 2-6, 1-6 setback to Australia’s Ashling Sumner in their quarterfinal duel.
Sumner’s triumph set her up against countrywoman Cody Morris, who pulled off a shock 6-4, 4-6, 6-2 win over No. 7 Ioana Laura Alecsiu of Romania.
In other results, No. 6 Hayley Ericksen of Australia surprised Thai No. 1 Satjaporn Mahajaroenkul, 6-1, 6-2.
Japanese No. 8 Maho Kowase bundled out compatriot Riko Fujioka, 6-1, 6-2, to clinch the last semis berth.