Alcantara sets sights on better ranking, bigger Pro events

Francis Casey Alcantara hopes to carry that winning SEA Games feeling into his professional career. —AUGUST DELA CRUZ

Francis Casey Alcantara hopes his Southeast Asian Games gold would fuel his drive into the richer parts of the international pro tour.

For the coming year, Alcantara said he is aiming to break into the elite top 200 and gain access to the bigger and pricier tournaments.

“Things are looking good at end of the year, I feel confident that next year I will break into the top 200,” said Alcantara, who bagged the gold in men’s doubles along with Jeson Patrombon.

Alcantara was 2009 Australian Open juniors doubles champion. But he chose to finish a communications degree at Pepperdine instead of plunging headlong into the pro tour.

He said he will concentrate more on doubles but will play singles on the side.

The 27-year-old Alcantara is currently No. 411 in the world in doubles. His career high was 257th in ATP last year.

Alcantara and Patrombon gave the Philippines its lone victory in tennis in the biennial meet. They bested US-based teammates Treat Huey and Ruben Gonzales in the finals at Rizal Memorial’s tennis courts.

Alcantara closed the year on tour with a finals appearance in the ITF World Tennis Tour in Doha, in late October.

He partnered with Bogdan Bobrov of Russia in finishing runner-up to Dutch pair Guy Den Heijer and Sindae Pontjodikromo.

Alcantara and Australian Harry Bourchier also made the finals in Brisbane, losing to hometown bets Luke Saville and Jake Delaney in the championship match. INQ