Action heats up in singles play

The tennis courts at the American Memorial Park were a beehive of activity Thursday night, as 12 matches were decided in the 2nd Annual Taga Tennis Tournament.

Rising tennis star Ji Hoon Heo led the day’s parade of winners when he pummeled doubles partner Lope Padilla into submission 6-3, 5-1 (retired) in the men’s open division.

In the men’s 4.5 singles, Renato “Dodong” Espanola also had an easy time against a recently returned and out-of-practice Ed Johnson 6-4, 6-0. Second seed Boyet Minor, meanwhile, didn’t even lift a finger in his walkover triumph against Ronnie Lacbayo, who was a no-show.

Babu Malayil had to work double time in his men’s 4.0 encounter with Abet Encarnacion. The Indian netter lost the first but then scrambled in the latter two to post a come-from-behind 6-7 (3-7), 6-3, 6-3 win.

Favored Gabe Boyer also endured a three-setter but was on a losing end against Beltau Toshi. Toshi whipped up the upset win in a score of 6-7 (5-7), 7-5, 6-2. Eric Mahinay also scored a king-size upset of second seed Gerald Narciso; but unlike Toshi didn’t have to sweat it out and won by default.

In the men’s 3.0, Cristophe Bertin advanced following a 6-2, 6-0 triumph over Ramon Angeles. Tinian resident Sonny Decena, meanwhile, sent New Zealander Mike Seawright packing 6-4, 6-3. Yesman Gurung outlasted another Tinian netter, Edgar Caronan, in a score of 6-3, 7-6 (7-4).

Doubles winner Isagani Cortes continued his romp in men’s 2.0, this time picking on youth netter Joe Motto Jr. Cortes didn’t give Motto any corners and won by a sweep 6-0, 6-0. Vener Urena also gained passage to the next round following a 6-2, 6-2 win against Jun Domingo.

The lone mixed doubles match saw the pair of Richard Asuncion and Delia Johnson outplay the husband-and-wife tandem of Nanding and Ayumi Cajigan 6-4, 6-4.

The number of matches completed could’ve been 15 but Mother Nature drenched the facility a few minutes before midnight.

Pacific Trading Co. and Miller Lite are the main sponsors of the 2nd Annual Taga Tennis Tournament with USS Peleliu Club and Yuichiro’s Printing Design as minor sponsors.

For more information about the 2nd Annual Taga Tennis Tournament, please call STA president Roy Pangelinan at 256-7769, vice president-internal Nelia Luna at 288-5151 or 287-0859, vice president-external Ricky Castro at 234-7426, and officers Richard Asuncion at 287-0856, Babu Malayil at 286-9745, and Lope Padilla at 286-9733. Inquiries can also be coursed via email at saipan_tennis@yahoo.com.