Capadocia blanks foe to start three-peat bid in PCA Open

MANILA, Philippines – Marian Jade Capadocia kicked off her three-peat bid in devastating fashion, shutting out qualifier Kimberly Uytico, 6-0, 6-0, as the fancied lady netters played true to form in the 32nd Philippine Columbian Association Open Tuesday at the PCA courts in Paco.

Capadocia had a field day landing clean shots against Uytico, overwhelming her opponent in a first-round encounter that was over in about 40 minutes.

“It was a good work out; I would need it since I haven’t played many tournaments prior to the PCA Open,” said the 18-year-old pride of San Jose, Antique, who played two matches in last week’s Southeast Asian Tennis Championships in Thailand.

“It’s still a long way to go and there’s still a lot of contenders out there. I’ll just I do everything I can (to defend the title),” said Capadocia, who next faces Marigold Nagret, the lucky loser who upset Yoshino Noguchi, 6-3, 6-3.

Capadocia’s chief rivals– second seed Anna Clarice Patrimonio, No. 3 Edilyn Balanga, No. 4 Maika Tanpoco, No. 5 Hannah Grace Espinosa and No. 7 Khim Iglupas – all cruised to the Round-of-16.

Patrimonio hacked out a similar 6-0, 6-0 demolition of Capadocia’s elder sister, Jella Jade, to advance while Balanga nipped Isabella Mendoza, 6-1, 6-4; Espinosa whipped Maria Angela Sunga, 6-2, 6-1; and Iglupas beat Andrea Nicole Amistad, 6-2, 6-2. Tanpoco got a free pass to the next round after drawing a lucky loser who didn’t show up.

Joining the advance were qualifier Mary Grace Melchor, who won by default against a sick Christine Patrimonio; Anna Vienna Bienes, who defeated the youngest of the Capadocia sisters Jade Charito, 6-4, 6-2; Krizelle Ann Sampaton, who drubbed Eden Luis Penados, 6-1, 6-3; Rachelle de Guzman, who trounced Erika Manduriao, 6-4 6-3; and Rafaella Villanueva, who dispatched qualifier Junnelyn Polito.

The PCA Open is presented by Cebuana Lhuillier and co-sponsored by official tennis ball Dunlop, Babolat, Head, Pag-ibig and Fujidenzo/Whirlpool.