Casey, Clarice reach quarters

MANILA, Philippines - Francis Casey Alcantara and Anna Clarice Patrimonio booked spots in the quarterfinal round by disposing of their respective rivals, staying on track for cracks at the boys’ and girls titles in the Phinma International Juniors Week 2 at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center yesterday.

Alcantara, eyeing back-to-back crowns after topping last week’s first stage of the championship, proved too strong for Japanese qualifier Takashi Saito, dropping just one game in a 6-0, 6-1 rout to arrange a quarterfinal duel with Soichiro Moritani, also of Japan.

Moritani, winner of the doubles crown last week, held off Italy’s Gianmarco Cacace, 7-5, 6-3.

Patrimonio, meanwhile, continued to dish out fine form as she stunned fifth seed Rana Sherif Ahmed of Egypt, 6-1, 7-6(3) in the girls side of the event sponsored by Phinma Group of Companies.

The 16-year-old Patrimonio, who bucked a first-set loss to Thailand’s Nattawadee Kotcha to score a 2-6, 6-1, 6-2 victory last Tuesday, surprised Ahmed with her all-around game, including a number forehand shots that the Egyptian failed to return.

But the Filipina netter will need a lot of solid shots and luck as she takes on Chinese fourth seed Ran Tian in today’s featured quarterfinal encounter.

Tian, winner of last week’s tournament backed by Tecnifibre Balls, Powerade, Viva Mineral Water, Century Park Hotel and the Philippine Sports Commission, subdued Belgian Klaartje Liebens, 6-3, 6-1.