Takamura-Wu cops Phinma doubles title in stunning win

MANILA, Philippines - Yuki Takamura of Japan and Wu Tung Lin of Chinese Taipei stunned second seed Sora Fukuda and Tusuke Takahashi of Japan, 6-4, 4-6, 10-8 to clinch the boys’ doubles title in the Phinma International Juniors (Week 2) at the Rizal Tennis Center.

It was a sweet win for Takamura and Wu, who won the crown even though they’re unranked while it ended up a sorry loss for the second-seeded Fukuda and Takahashi, who took over as top seeds following the early exit of top pick Congsup Congcar and Teeradon Tortrakul of Thailand.

Takahashi and Fukuda though made up for their bitter doubles’ setback by hurdling their respective foes in the semifinals to arrange an all-Japanese finale in the boys’ singles division.

Takahashi, seeded No. 3 and responsible for eliminating the last Filipino bet in 13-year-old Alberto Lim in the quarters, overpowered No. 5 Ahmed Deedat Abdul Razak, 6-1, 6-1, while No. 7 Fukuda had a tougher time before turning back compatriot Shoma Kato, 7-6(5), 6-4.

In the girls’ section, Yukina Saigo and Nozomi Ohya completed an All-Japan affair after arranging an interesting title showdown today.

Saigo overcame a feisty Pranjala Yadlapalli in a gripping 6-1, 1-6, 7-5 triumph while Ohya was a little quicker in disposing of American Gabriella Umoquit, 6-3, 6-4, paving the way for a virtual title showdown between giant-slayers.

The day before, Saigo dropped the upset axe on top seed Chang Ya Ting of Chinese Taipei, 0-6, 6-2, 7-5, while Ohya slammed the door on No. 2 Miki Kobayashi also of Japan in a more merciless 6-3, 6-4 win.             – Joey Villar