Filipino-German lass eyes PH team

MANILA—The German looker drawing cheers from the local crowd is one of the Philippines’ own after all.   Katharina Lehnert—the 16-year-old turning heads for her charm and solid game—may just add spark to local tennis with her remarkable run in the ongoing  ICTSI-ITF Women’s Tennis Circuit at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center.   Lehnert’s Filipino mother Imelda hails from La Union, while her  German father Sebastian is a  former soccer club team player.   “It’s the next best thing to having our own girl competing against some of the world’s best,” said Phinma executive Oscar Hilado.   Lehnert, ranked 102nd in the world by the ITF in the junior circuit, stunned top seed Nungnadda Wannasuk of Thailand, 6-4, 6-4, Friday to advance to the semifinals.   The tournament’s latest sensation also blanked local favorite Christine Patrimonio, 6-0, 6-0, and later  advanced to the quarterfinals by dominating South Korea’s Shin Jung-Yoon , 6-1, 6-3.   Lehnert will be in the country for three more weeks to compete in the PLDT-Smart/ITF Women’s Circuit 2, the Phinma JuniorsChampionship and the PCA Open.   But the family disclosed that Lehnert, a ninth grader training in a local tennis academy in Hannover, is also interested in representing the Philippines in future competitions such as the Southeast Asian Games and the Asian Games.   “I would love to do that,” said Lehnert. “If given the chance, I will represent the Philippines.”  Jasmine W. Payo