RP netters bow out in Day One

Nikki-Camille Zoleta and Michelle Pang joined Anna Clarice Patrimonio and Ma. Regina Santiago on the sidelines as they bowed to their respective foreign rivals in the Holcim International Tennis Federation Women’s Circuit at the Rizal Tennis Center yesterday.

Zoleta, 17, put up a gallant stand but just couldn’t handle the taller Cassandra Barr of Australia, who powered her way into the next round with a 6-3, 6-4 victory.

“She’s just stronger than me,” said Zoleta, who plays and studies at College of St. Benilde.

Pang was booted out early as she fell to world No. 772 Qiu Si Si of China, 4-6, 1-6, leaving Jessica Marie Agra the last Filipina hopeful in the first week of the event sponsored by Holcim.

Agra takes on qualifier Liu Chang of China in the last part of the two-day first round today.

The Patrimonio sisters – Ana Christine and Anna Clarice also took a 1-6, 1-6 setback to top seed Jessy Rompies and Lavinia Tananta of Indonesia in doubles action.

The two daughters of former basketball star Alvin Patrimonio will try again in Week II of the event, hoping to do better.

Last Monday, Anna Clarice Patromonio lost to Thailand’s Satjaporn Mahajaroenkul, 2-6, 0-6, while Santiago dropped a 5-7, 2-7 setback to Taiwanese Liu Chi Fan.

Second seed Lu Jia Jing of China overcame compatriot Yang Yi, 6-4, 7-6 (3), while Jawairiah Noordin of Malaysia smashed Karolina Kostro of Poland, 6-0, 6-1, to set up a second round duel tomorrow. – Joey Villar