Lehnert paces q’final surge of favorites

Katharina Lehnert, the top-seeded Filipino-German beauty, and second-ranked Clarice Patrimonio stormed into the women’s singles quarterfinals with lopsided victories yesterday in the Philippine Columbian Association Open tennis championships presented by Cebuana Lhuillier at PCA courts in Paco.

Lehnert overpowered 14-year-old Jade Charito Capadocia, 6-0, 6-0, while Patrimonio drubbed Nikki Arandia, 6-1, 6-2, to somehow make up for the 6-3, 6-2 upset loss of her sister Christine, the No. 8 seed and 2010 finalist, who bowed to Rachelle de Guzman.

Defending champion and third seed Marian Jade Capadocia also easily advanced with a 6-0, 6-3 victory over Lenelyn Milo and will next meet Hannah Espinosa, who booted out Capadocia’s elder sister Jella Jade, 6-4, 6-2.

“I am just playing my game and see how it goes,” said the 18-year-old Lehnert, whose mother hails from La Union. “There are a lot of good players here like Marian (Jade Capadocia) and Clarice (Patrimonio) but I like my chances.”

Lehnert, who is also interested in playing for the Philippines, also reached the quarterfinals in a tournament in Thailand before joining this event sponsored by Kia, Dunlop, Head, Babolat, Whirlpool, PCSO and PVL Restaurant.

The world’s No. 433, who recently won a $10,000 ITF event in Braunschweig, Germany, will tangle next with Alyssa Labay, who progressed with a 6-2, 6-2 triumph over Jazsh Canja.

Top seed Treat Huey and former PH junior standout and Philippine Tennis Association vice president Randy Villanueva thrashed Arnold Rodriguez and Rolly Anasta, 6-0, 6-2, to lead the quarterfinal advance of the men’s doubles favorites.

Two-time defending champion Johnny Arcilla and Patrick John Tierro crushed Fritz Domingo and Radha Reyes, 6-2, 6-3; Jurence Mendoza and Jeson Patrombon  downed Jimmy Tangalin ad Marvelous Cortez, 6-3, 6-2; second seed  Ruben Gonzales and Marc Sieber blanked Ernesto Pantua and Alberto Villamore, 6-0, 6-0; and Elbert Anasta and Alex Lazaro ousted Jacob Lagman and Deedat Abdul Razak, 6-3, 6-4.