It’s all in the family

The mixed doubles of the Century Insurance Co. Tennis Classic got underway Tuesday night with players who sit down on the same table come dinnertime dominating play at the American Memorial Park tennis courts.

Action in the mixed doubles open saw the mother-and-son tandem of Young and Daniel Son whip Lope Padilla and Cleofe Santos 6-0, 6-2.

Mrs. Son is one of the best women players on island, while Daniel held a world ranking in the juniors a couple of years back.

Youth netter Mayuko Arriola then teamed up with older brother Rio to waylay the pair of Toz Beltau and Ayumi Suzuki 7-5, 6-4 in the mixed doubles 4.0. Awaiting the brother-sister act in the next round is the husband-and-wife team of Perry and Sally Cacdac, who were given a bye in the opening round.

Boyet Minor and Yuko Kobayashi also were successful in their mixed doubles open debuts as they defeated Saipan Tennis Association president Roy Pangelinan and Sally Wong 6-1, 6-1.

The Minors would’ve made it four pairs with players coming from the same gene pool but Joy begged off and Boyet ended up playing with Kobayashi.

The fourth and last mixed doubles match that went down Tuesday had Edwin Maratas and Nelia Luna outplaying Buddy Garote and Shinobu Furr 6-3, 1-6, 6-3.

In the men’s singles, tourney organizer FILATA was able to determine the semifinalists in the 4.0 division. Facing early qualifier Tony Santos is Elmer Guzman after he eliminated Hector Gutierrez 6-4, 6-4.

The other draw features Dodong Espanola and John Kintaro. Espanola won a 6-4, 4-1 (retired) battle against Romy “Colonel” Sotto, while Kintaro overwhelmed Jorge Olanda 6-2, 6-2.

Rio Arriola, meanwhile, is also safely into the final four of the men’s 3.0 after the elementary school teacher defeated Noel Manalang 6-0, 6-3. He will duel with Hector Benitez in the semis.

Gary Ramsey is still waiting the results of the quarterfinals match between Manny Jardinero and Babu Malayil. Jardinero and Malayil were supposed to play yesterday.

The lone men’s 4.5 match had Buddy Garote eclipsing Edwin Maratas in three sets 6-4, 3-6, 6-2. It was the second time in the evening that both players faced each on the court with Maratas getting the win in the mixed doubles. Garote will play Minor in the semis.

In the women’s 3.0, comebacking Rose Pederson advanced after getting the better of Arlene Osma 6-3, 6-7, 6-3.