Alcantara enters world top 1000

Only a year after turning pro full-time, Francis Casey Alcantara managed to breach the top 1000 in the world, reaching 929th after a string of impressive finishes recently.

The 24-year-old former Australian Open juniors doubles champion just recently made the final of the Vietnam F9 Futures in Thu Dau Mot City, losing to French Enzo Couacaud.

“It’s been busy the past two months with tournaments in Vietnam, but I’m happy with the results and I’m going back to work even harder,” said the Pepperdine University Communications graduate.

He is also currently 470th in the world in doubles and made the final of the Vietnam F8.

Last week, he and Davis Cup teammate Ruben Gonzales made the quarterfinals of the Australian Open 2017 Asia Pacific WildCard Playoffs held in Zhuhai, China.

“They have been getting singles play lately and it’s big boost for the Davis Cup next year,” said PH Davis Cup captain Karl Santamaria.

Gonzales, 31, is also currently 923rd in singles from as high as 766th three years ago. He is now 244th in doubles from 152nd in 2014.  —Marc Anthony Reyes