Patrimonio sisters advance in PCA Open

MANILA, Philippines - Top seed Clarice Patrimonio overpowered Erika Manduriao, 6-2, 6-1, while sister Christine scored a walkover win over Kimberly Keethler at the start of the ladies singles of the 34th Philippine Columbian Association (PCA) Open-Cebuana Lhuillier Wildcard Event at the PCA’s Plaza Dilao clay courts in Paco, Manila yesterday.

Patrimonio, 21, needed just about an hour to dispose of Manduriao and arrange a second round clash with qualifier Crizzabelle Paulino, who trounced Janina Luis, 6-0, 6-1.

“I’m just warming up,” said Patrimonio, out to improve on her disappointing quarterfinal performance in last year’s staging of the annual event topped by Mary Jade Capadocia.

Patrimonio is also seeking her first crown this year following a pair of semifinal finishes in the Tunafest Open in Gen. Santos City early this month and in the Olivarez Cup in Parañaque last month.

She did win something this year after she was part of the women’s team that picked up a silver in the team event of last June’s Southeast Asian Games in Singapore.

“Hopefully, I could start winning in this tournament,” said Patrimonio, also a member of the silver medal team in the SEA Games in Singapore last June.

Second seed Marinel Rudas routed Jana Exconde, 6-0, 6-1, for a second round faceoff with Reisha Nillasca, who advanced via a walkover win over Jenni Dizon in the tournament backed by Cebuana Lhuillier, Puma, Dunlop, The Philippine Star, Head, Babolat, Compass/IMOSTI and Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao.

Fast-rising Rafaella Villanueva also blanked Crystalyn Sabas, 6-0, 6-0, to seal a duel with Krysha Hitosis, who won via walkover against Jzash Eale Canja.

Others who advanced in the event, supported by Whirlpool/Fujidenzo, Broadway Motor Sales Corp. Coca-Cola Fesma Philippines, Tyrecorp Incorporated, Pearl Garden Hotel, Metro Global Holdings Corporation, Avida, PVL Restaurant, Mary Grace Foods, Inc., Seno Hardware and Wire Rope Corp., were Edilyn Balanga, Sally Mae Siso, Frances Angelica Santiago, Shaira Hope Rivera, Hannah Espinosa, Miles Vitaliano, Krizelle Sampaton and Maia Balce.

The finalists in the men’s singles will earn berths in the main draw of the 2015 Manila International Tennis Federation (ITF) Men’s Futures Leg 2 starting Oct. 2, while the players who make it into the quarterfinals and semifinals will clinch berths in the qualifying round. Only the winners in the doubles division will be given spots in the ITF main 16-pair main draw.