ATF: Top seed Rupert makes q-finals alongside Sabah lad Ryan
KOTA KINABALU: Rupert Ohrelle Tortal marched into the quarterfinals as the girl’s top seed Pimmada Lim crashed out of the Sabah 8th Asian Tennis Federation (ATF) 14 & Under Series junior tennis championship here yesterday.
The boy’s singles top seed Rupert justified his favourite tag when he blanked Yann Zylberberg of Hong Kong 6-0, 6-0 in the second round tie.
Rupert of the Philippines will face unseeded Etienne Lee of Hong Kong in the last eight after the latter edged Malaysian eighth seed Izmal Mohammed Farroukh 2-6, 6-1, 6-1.
The biggest casualty in the boy’s competition was Hong Kong’s Lau Hong Kiu, the second seed, after he went down to unseeded Malaysian Daniel Prickett 0-6, 2-6.
Daniel is to face another Hong Kong player in Wong Sui Lun after his win over Thoybah Rahim of Malaysia 6-2, 6-1.
The other second round tie saw sixth seed Ryan Lim Lai Eng win 6-2, 6-2 against fellow Hong Kong player Bryan Lap Yin Hui.
Ryan’s next opponent will be Ryan Chee, the only Sabahan to enter the last eight, after a 6-2, 6-1 against Luke Koh of Singapore
Seventh seed Nikhil Mukherjee of India and Mohammad Zhahin Ieylas Kamarul Zaman will face off in the other quarterfinal tie.
Nikhil won 6-4, 6-0 against Anson Fung Chi Mong of Hong Kong while Zhahin edged countryman Izran Mohammed Farroukh 6-4, 6-1.
In the girl’s singles, Thailand’s top junior Pimmada was sent packing in the second round after a 2-6, 6-4, 3-6 defeat at the hands of unseeded Hong Kong junior Michelle Wong Hoi Yiu.
Wong’s opponent in the quarterfinal will be Malaysian sixth seed Lau Jie Ying, who edged Hong Kong’s Naomi Hagi 6-2, 6-2.
Second seed Cheung Kei Yau of Hong Kong moved into the next round with a 6-0, 6-1 win over Britanny Michael Tiang Jing Yu of Malaysia.
Cheung is set to face Saw JoLeen of Malaysia, who defeated teammate Soo Hui Yii 6-4, 6-2.
As for third seed Tan Xing Hung of Malaysia, she will face Hong Kong’s seventh seeded player Lee Tsz Lu for a place in the semi-final.
Tan edged teammate Isabelle Ruth 6-3, 6-3 while Lee was 6-1, 6-0 victorious over Dania Melati Fahrol Rodzi 3-6, 6-2, 6-2.
Fourth seed Sydney Shark of Hong Kong saw off the challenge by Malaysian Lydia Tiong Tng En 6-1, 6-0.
Sydney will meet another Malaysian, Athilla Miasara Azizul, in the quarterfinal after the latter scored an upset 6-3, 63 win over Hong Kong fifth seed Alicia Mia Cheng Tsz Ki.
The tournament also contested the doubles event for boys and girls but results were still pending at press time.
For the record, the boy’s quarterfinals fixtures will be played at the Sutera Harbour Resort tennis courts while the girls at Sabah Golf and Country Club, both of which will take place today.