Damian stuns No. 8 Thai in Phinma netfest

NOEL Damian and Vince Salas sustained their strong showing in the two-day qualifier, turning back their Thai rivals Tuesday to move into the second round of the PSC-Phinma International Juniors Tennis Championships Week 1 at Manila Polo Club in Makati City.

Damian, who upended Justin Suarez, 6-2, 5-7, 6-2, to clinch one of the four slots staked in the eliminations Monday, bundled out No. 8 Thai Suphawit Sae-Oui, 4-6, 7-6, 6-4, to advance against Hong Kong’s Alester Magalit, who made short work of local bet Francis Atienza, 6-0, 6-1.

Salas, who bested Japanese Yusuke Nishitani, 7-6(1), 6-1, in the final day of eliminations, dominated Sirawit Daosaengwang, 6-3, 6-0, for a second round clash with Taiwan’s Ho Jun Lee, who scored a 3-6, 6-3, 3-3 (ret.) win over No. 5 Shaheed Alam of Singapore.

The International Tennis Federation is staking 40 points to the winners in the boys’ and girls’ sides of the Grade 4 event backed by Phinma Group of Companies and the Philippine Sports Commission.