Alcantara, Swede pal rule doubles

MANILA, Philippines - Francis Casey Alcantara sustained his fine run in doubles competitions, teaming up with Swede Daniel Berta to blast Kiwis Ben and Riki McLachlan, 6-3, 6-0, and capture the crown in the 20th Mitsubishi International Juniors Championship at the Rizal Tennis Center late Saturday.

It was Alcantara’s third doubles victory this year counting the Australian Juniors Open last January and fourth finals appearance after finishing runner-up in a Grade 1 event in Thailand two weeks ago.

Berta, on the other hand, completed a double victory after the sixth-seeded bet smothered 15th pick Riki McLachlan of New Zealand, 6-3, 6-4, to clinch the men’s singles crown.

It was also Berta’s second straight doubles win as he also paired with the 17-year-old Alcantara in ruling the 13th Sarawak Minister’s Cup, another Grade I event, in Malaysia last week.

“It was exhausting but I just focused on having fun, it was a great week for me,” said Berta.

The Helsingborg native received 150 singles and 150 doubles ITF points for his feat.

Russian Polina Leykina, meanwhile, topped the ladies side with a 6-2, 6-4 win over compatriot Ekaterina Nikitina.

“I was confident going into this game that’s why I played well,” said the 14-year-old Leykina, a Moscow native, who won 150 singles points. – Joey Villar