JEREMIAH Latorre, Enrique Gabriel Ferrer and Stefan Suarez inched closer to main-draw slots in the Phinma International junior tennis championships yesterday at Rizal Memorial Tennis Center.
Latorre outclassed Ben Lye of Australia, 6-1, 6-0; Ferrer downed American Naara Shin, 6-2, 6-4; and Suarez crushed American Ryan Wong, 6-1, 6-0, to stay in the running for the four qualifying slots to the tournament which starts tomorrow.
The Filipinos need one more win each to qualify and get a chance to duplicate the winning effort of Jeson Patrombon, Francis Casey Alcantara and Jurence Zosimo Mendoza in the event.
In other matches, Chinese Taipei’s Chien Hung and Yu Chang-wang whipped Christian Fel Lopez, 6-0, 6-1, and Jaffary Carigas, 6-1, 6-2, respectively. Australians Edwin Ramos and Russel Martinez also downed Dheo Talotayod, 7-5, 2-6, 6-1, and Jerome Romualdez, 7-5, 6-0, in that order.
Japan’s Takashi Yasumagi eliminated John Maverick Victoria, 6-2, 6-3, and Korean Jogin Kweon ripped Joachim Samson, 6-4, 6-1.
In girls’ action, Japan’s Ren Niikura and Konomi Shida edged Elvie Lopez, 6-3, 6-1, and Carmen So, 6-0, 6-3, respectively. American Toby Miclat ousted Isabella Mendoza, 6-1, 6-1.
Top Filipino juniors Jurence Zosimo Mendoza and Maika Jae Tanpoco will banner the country’s campaign in the twin tournament backed by Technifibre ball, Viva mineral water and Powerade energy drink and supported by the Philippine Sports Commission.