MANILA, Philippines — Eighth-seeded Indian Kurunaday Singh bucked the searing heat to wear down Japanese third seed Shuichi Sekiguchi, 6-4, 5-7, 6-3, Sunday and capture the Olivarez Cup-Philippine international men’s tennis championship singles title at Rizal Memorial Tennis Center.
Ranked No. 486 in the world, Singh, who ousted remaining Filipino bet Patrick John Tierro in the semifinals, completed an impressive march to his first title since 2011—when he won a similar ITF Indian Futures—to clinch the $2,160 top prize.
Singh, who picked up the sport at the late age of 18, earlier won the doubles crown in partnership with Ivo Klec of Slovakia at the expense of Filipino Ruben Gonzales and Sonchat Ratiwatana of Thailand, 6-3, 3-6, (10-8).
“It’s very hot, I feel very tired,” was all Singh could say after the one-and-a-half hour battle.
Sekiguchi, ranked 265 in the world, went home with $1,272.
Gonzales and Tierro, who shone for the host country which hosted the $15,000 tournament for the first time in 18 years, will team up with Treat Huey and Johnny Arcilla for the Philippine Davis Cup team that will clash with Pakistan from April 4 to 6 at Philippine Columbian Association courts.