Lim, Capadocia bag Phinma net crowns

ALBERTO Lim Jr. and Marian Capadocia toppled their opponents in the finals yesterday to pull off a singles sweep for the Philippines in the Phinma International Juniors Tennis Championships at Rizal Memorial Tennis Center.

Lim subdued Yosuke Takahashi of Japan, 6-3, 6-3, to clinch the boys’ title and cap a dominating stand by the Filipinos in the first leg of the two-stage tournament that has lured some of the world’s best junior players.

Capadocia set the tone earlier with a clinical 6-1, 6-0 thumping of American Gabriella Umoquit in the girls’ final.

Takahashi prevented an all-Filipino finals after frustrating top seed Jurence Mendoza, 2-6, 6-4, 4-6, in the semifinals.

Seeking to avenge Mendoza’s defeat, Lim outplayed Takahashi with steady groundstrokes and superb baseline game to become the youngest winner of the Grade Four ITF Juniors event backed by Technifibre (official ball), Viva (official mineral water) and Powerade (official energy drink).

“The pain, hard work and sacrifices have started to pay off,” said Lim, a 13-year-old find from Letran and a mainstay of the Tennis Academy of the Philippines.

Lim earlier helped the Squires capture this year’s NCAA tennis crown while seizing the MVP award on his rookie season.

Capadocia foiled Umoquit’s bid with a solid all-around game. The 17-year-old from San Jose, Antique, earlier upset top seed Sri Waishnavi Peddi Reddy of India.

“I didn’t expect to win this fast and easy. I’m glad I did,” said Capadocia, who landed an athletic scholarship at US NCAA Division I school Loyola Marymount.

Capadocia sealed her third title in a row following victories in the PCA Open and the Limin tournament in Hong Kong.

Lim and Capadocia earned 30 ITF points and will lead the cast in Week 2 of the circuit set to kick off tomorrow at the same venue.