Korean, Canadian clinch Lancer singles’ titles

MANILA, Philippines — Kang Ku-keon of South Korea proved too good for Rhet Purcell of Great Britain even as Canadian Gloria Liang outlasted Australian Kimberly Birrell to emerge as singles champions in Mitsubishi Lancer international junior tennis championships Sunday.

The fourth-seeded Kang, 17, was all over the court, flustering Purcell with his speed and power to prevail, 6-3, 6-4 and win the boys’ singles crown of the meet’s 25th edition at Rizal Memorial Tennis Center in Manila.

Kang’s first championship this year is expected to boost his current 32nd ranking in the world juniors.

“The weather and the court are all favorable and I think I played by best tennis today,” said Kang.

Kang is already playing in Futures and Challenger events in the professional ranks. Earlier, 17-year-old Liang scored her first Grade 1 title with a 6-2, 7-5 upset victory over the third seed Birrell in the girls’ singles finals.

Liang dictated the tone in the first set and didn’t allow the 15-year-old Birrell to get into her game.

Liang later expressed her delight for her breakthrough win which came after her tough campaigns in similar-level tourneys in Malaysia and Thailand.

Purcell didn’t finish empty handed as he paired with Alexander Klintcharov of New Zealand for the boys’ doubles crown, beating top seeds Lin Wei-de and Yang Shao-chi of Taiwan, 7-6 (7-5), 7-5.

Top seeds Katie Boulter and Frey Christie of Great Britain annexed the girls’ doubles crown with a 6-4, 6-1 win over Natsuho Arakawa of Japan and Lizette Cabrera of Australia.