Patrimonio falls in Alcala Open tennis

LUCENA CITY , Philippines  – Marinel Rudas pulled off a stunner of a win over Christine Patrimonio yesterday, booting out the defending champion with a 7-6, 0-6, 6-1 victory in the quarterfinal round of the third Alcala Open tennis tournament at the Quezon Capital Government Center here.

Rudas outlasted her fancied rival in a tightly-fought first set but yielded the second set in shutout fashion before coming back strong in the decider where she pounced on the sprain-hit Patrimonio to prevail.

The win sent Rudas into a semifinal showdown with top seed Bambi Zoleta, who blasted Allysa Callejo, 6-0, 6-2, to advance.

Michelle Pang whitewashed Jennylyn Magpayo, 6-0, 6-0, to arrange the other semis duel with Clarice Patrimonio, who overcame a first set loss to carve out a 2-6, 6-1, 6-2 victory over Aileen Rogan.

Zoleta is expected to dish out her best as she goes all out to stop Rudas and keep her title-retention bid alive.

Rolly Laureano, president of the Lucena City Tennis Club, said the tournament is backed by sports patron Rep. Procy Alcala of the second congressional district of the province of Quezon.