Netters show stuff in DFS Championships

Junior and adult netters are currently putting their skills to the test in the first weekend of the 25th Annual DFS Micronesian Tennis Championships, which began Friday and will conclude today at the Pacific Islands Club tennis courts.

Highlighting the action are competitors that are prepping to compete in the upcoming 6th Micronesian Games next month.

In the boys’ 18-and-under singles, Micro Games hopeful Nicolas Son made quick work of Ho Suk Chang as he put up a strong start to his campaign with a 6-0, 6-2 victory Friday evening.

Micro Games teammates Lila Mailman and Vivian Lee, who have been splitting their previous battles, also took the hard court in the girls’ 18-and-under singles, with Mailman coming through this time with a 7-5, 6-4 win. The division also features two other netter that will compete in the Micro Games—Mayuko Arriola and Audrey Motto.

Meanwhile, up-and-coming juniors were also grabbing a share of the spotlight.

Bradley Brostrom came back from a slow start to stop Woo Suk Chang in the boys’ 13-and-under division yesterday. After losing the first set, 2-6, Brostrom regrouped and staved off elimination by winning a tightly fought second set, 7-5. He then had no trouble putting away the win with a 6-2 clincher.

Calvin Yang also enjoyed success as he beat Christian Miller in straight sets, 6-0 and 6-3. Miller advanced to play Yang in the semifinals with a 6-0, 6-0 win over Sang Woo Han on Friday.

Rafael Jones joined Yang in the semis as he defeated Brian Mailman 6-0, 6-1. Also advancing were Joe Motto Jr. and Ryan Baron, with Motto beating Clay McCullough-Stearns and Baron stopping Jake Lee.

Lucas Nutting, Dylan Ackerman, Colin Ramsey, and Michael Grandinetti also advanced to the boys’ nine-and-under division semifinals. Nutting posted a 6-4 win over Angelo Jones, Ackerman beat Aaron Lee, 6-1, Ramsey cruised past Christopher Cajigan, 6-1, and Grandinetti scored a 6-0 win over Luther Lizama.

In the girls’ corner, Michaela Grandinetti was able to advance to the 13-and-under semifinals with a 6-3 victory, joining Jessica Soll and Thea Minor in the semifinals. The other semis slot will be filled by the winner of the Theecel Minor-Melody Johnson bout, which was scheduled for yesterday afternoon. Results were not available as of press time.

In the nine-and-under division, it was Gabrielle Race scoring 6-2 victory over Sabrina Bilston-John. Bilston-John also got a win under her belt as she defeated Danica Baron, 6-3.

The doubles scene was just as intense as Micro Games hopeful Ralph Buenaventura teamed up with coach Jeff Race to edge fellow Micro Games hopefuls Ji Hoon Heo and Son in the men’s open. After having their way in the opening set, 6-0, Race and Buenaventura received stiff resistance in the second set. Heo and Son played their cards right and were able to sneak by with 7-6 win. Race and Buenaventura recovered in time to win the third set, 6-2.

Decena brothers Sonny and Ronny were able to top the father-son duo of Joe Motto Sr. and Joe Motto Jr. 6-1, 6-3 in the men’s 4.0, while the doctor-doctor team of Gary Ramsey and Richard Brostrom had just enough juice to edge Didth Julve and Jorge Olanda 7-6 (7-2), 7-5. Julve and Olanda came off a 6-4, 6-3 victory over Tony Santos and Ganover Rettin on Friday.

The women’s open double kicked off yesterday, with Audrey Motto and Cleofe Santos sliding past Arriola and Karen Buettner in three sets 7-5, 6-7, 6-3.

Buettner and Gary Ramsey were successful in the mixed 3.0 doubles, beating Debbie Bilston and Jerry John 6-2, 6-0. The Bilston-John combo also lost to junior netters Benjie Decena and Thea Minor 6-0, 6-2.

The tournament, organized by the Northern Mariana Islands Tennis Association, continues next weekend with singles and junior doubles from May 26 to May 29.

For more information on the 24th Annual DFS Micronesian Tennis Championships, contact NMITA president and co-director Eli Buenavantura at 484-1558 or NMITA vice president Race at 483-5652.