Huey, Lehnert fall as PHL’s medal drought continues

INCHEON, South Korea – Treat Huey and Katharina Lehnert absorbed heartbreakers that spelled doom to both tennis teams on Sunday at the Yeorumul Tennis Court here.

Lehnert put up a gutsy stand before yielding in straight sets, 6-3, 7-5, to Korea's top player Jang Sujeong. The Filipino-German almost won the second set when she caught Jang at 5-all and even had the advantage when she committed a double fault that did her in.

"I took risks because she (Jang) was playing good. Maybe I took [risks] too much," said Lehnart after her losing debut. "I will learn from this."

The 20-year-old teen sensation loss killed any hopes of a Phl comeback after Denise Dy was blown away by Han Nalae in the first singles match, 6-0, 6-3.

Lehnert and Dy also yielded the doubles match in straight sets, 6-3, 6-2, to Han and Mi Yoo.

In the men's play, Huey lost steam allowing Chinese Taipei's Wang Yeu Tzuoo to wage a comeback, 4-6, 6-3, 6-0, in the first singles match.

Tzuoo wrested control of the match in the second set rallying from 1-3 down to shut down Huey all the way.

"Nawala yung forehand niya nung second set eh. He got frustrated. Sayang, we had a chance to win if Huey got the first singles match since malakas ang doubles natin," said Chris Cuarto, the men's tennis team coach.

PJ Tierro was simply outclassed by world's no. 37 Lu Yen-Hsun in the second singles match.

Huey and Ruben Gonzales, Jr. salvaged some measure of pride in the doubles play rallying from one set down to win, 4-6, 7-6, 7-6. Both teams crashed out of the medal rounds but will have another chance to avert a shutout when individual play starts on Wednesday.