Fukuda ends Iglupas’ run in Phinma Jrs

MANILA, Philippines - Khim Iglupas put up a gallant stand but fell to Japanese second seed Shiori Fukuda of Japan, 7-5, 4-6, 3-6, to crash out of the Phinma International Juniors Week 2 at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center yesterday.

Iglupas, the last Phl bet standing, gave it her all in the quarterfinal encounter and managed to take the opening set before Fukuda, winner of both the singles and doubles crowns in Week 1, asserted herself and completed the come-from-behind victory.

Fukuda thus set up a semifinal duel with compatriot Kimika Sakata, who advanced after ekeing out a 6-1, 3-6, 6-2 triumph over Lisa Marie Rioux, also of Japan.

Fifth seed Saya Ito of Japan and No. 6 Rifanti Kahfiani of Indonesia arranged their own Final Four showdown after dismantling their respective quarterfinal opponents in the event put up by the Phinma Group of Companies with the Philippine Sports Commission, Dunlop Fort All Court, Viva and Wilkins Mineral Water as chief backers.

Ito drubbed fellow Japanese Izumi Asano, 6-3, 7-6 (4), while Kahfiani defeated Jaipet Anontaweesil of Thailand, 6-0, 6-2.

Week 1 champion Wei De Lin of Chinese Taipei Lin posted a 7-6 (3), 6-3 win over qualifier Yousuke Watanuke of Japan to roll into the semis of the boys’ singles against fourth seed Brian Tran of Australia, a 6-3, 0-6, 6-2 winner over No. 7 Yuki Takamura of Japan.

Second seed Shoma Kato and Naoto Kai dispatched Joshua Liu of Singapore, 6-0, 6-1, and Shohei Chikami of Japan, 6-3, 6-4, respectively, to forge an all-Japan semis duel in the lower half of the draw.

Meanwhile, Yu Fujioka and Nanaka Takeuchi of Japan pulled off a 6-4, 4-6 (10-4) win over Melissa Esguerra and Katerina Valos of Australia to reach the girls’ doubles semis.

Advancing to the Last-4 in boys’ doubles were Yi Wei Huang and Chien Chief Hung of Chinese Taipei, who defeated Christian Alvin Edicson and Anthony Susanto of Indonesia, 3-6, 6-1 (10-6).