Miyamoto ousts Iglupas, sets all-Japan finale

KHIM Iglupas disposed of fellow Filipino Monica Therese Cruz in the quarterfinals but eventually bowed to Japanese Ayumi Miyamoto in the semifinals yesterday in the Phinma-PSC International Juniors Tennis Championships–Week 2 at Rizal Memorial Tennis Center.

Iglupas thus saw her quest for a double crown dashed after she encountered a tenacious Miyamoto, who refused to fold up in fashioning out a 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7-4) victory.

Earlier, Iglupas drubbed Cruz, 7-6 (7-2), 6-2, to make the final four. But the hard work took its toll on the 16-year-old Iglupas. Even as she took the first set trouble-free, the Philippine Tennis Academy standout found no antidote against Miyamoto’s consistency and power.

In the end, Iglupas, suffering blisters on both feet, faltered after two hours and 35 minutes of battle.

Miyamoto will next face compatriot Momoko Chimura, who ousted another Japanese Satoko Sueno, 6-4, 6-1, in the other semifinals of the event sponsored by Phinma Group of Companies, PSC and Mariposa Foundation.

Boys singles top seed Toru Horie stayed the course with a 7-5, 1-6, 6-3 victory over India’s Udayan Bhayan to make the finals.