Favorites Johnny Arcilla and Leander Lazaro overpowered their opponents in the opener of the first Albay National Open Tennis Championship at Lignon Hills Tennis Club in Bicol late Wednesday.
The top-seeded Arcilla, seeking a follow-up to his Brookside Open romp in April, blanked Romenl Fortadez Jr.,
6-0, 6-0, while the No. 2 Lazaro routed Jason Guirra, 6-0, 6-1, in the lower half of the 32-player men’s draw of the event hosted by Gov. Al Francis Bichara.
Action in the women’s side is ongoing at presstime with Christine Patrimonio and Khim Iglupas leading the title chase.
No. 3 Fritz Verdad also whipped Philippe Coteron, 6-0, 6-0; fourth-ranked Deo Talatayod subdued Peter Coteron, 6-2, 6-1; and No. 5 Eric Jed Olivarez dumped Walter Mariano, 6-0,
6-0.
Wild card Jennard Gonzales from Legazpi upended Arellano U’s Ronald Roces, 4-6, 7-5, 10-8, to emerge the lone survivor among the local players. —VANESSA B. HIDALGO