Alcantara, pal gear up for ATP final

CHUIDINELLI/ Lacko vs Alcantara/Rungkat toss coin. Photo by Marc Reyes

Francis Casey Alcantara is keeping his expectations low despite the streak of rousing victories that moved him and partner Christopher Rungkat of Indonesia straight to the finals of the $75,000 ATP Challenger Philippine Open.

“Whoever we face in the finals, we will just try to have a great time in the court,” said Alcantara after practice Friday.

Alcantara and Rungkat got a free ride to the finals after supposed semifinals opponents, Thai twins Sanchai and Sonchat Ratiwatana flew back to Bangkok due to death in the family.

READ: Alcantara, Indonesian partner gain ATP finals

They will face for the crown on Sunday either second seeds Johan Brunstrom of Sweden and Frederick Nielsen of Denmark, or Maximillian Neuchrist of Austria and Divij Sharan of India.

The 23-year-old Alcantara, the 2009 Australian Open juniors doubles champion, and Rungkat toppled No. 1 picks Ilja Bozoljac of Serbia and Andreas Siljestrom of Sweden in the first round.

They followed it up Thursday night with a 6-3, 6-3 win over Marco Chuidinelli of Switzerland and Lukas Lacko of Slovakia.