Singles competition builds steam

The Filipino-American Tennis Association is right on track to finish the 2004 Century Insurance Tennis Classic this week after nine singles matches got done Monday at the American Memorial Park tennis courts.

In the lone match in the showcase division of the tournament—the men’s open—Ji Hoon Heo shocked reigning UMDA-CNMI Junior Championships boys 18-and-under champion Nicolas Son 6-1, 1-6, 6-3.

Son lost his cool during and after the game. He drew a warning from FILATA officials for throwing his racquet in the third set and then made a scene outside the tennis court after being upset by the 12-year-old Heo.

Former FILATA president Boyet Minor also got past youth netter Ralph Buenaventura in his first round assignment in the men’s 4.5. Minor was trailing in the first set, 1-4, before Buenaventura pulled out of the match because of an apparent injury.

Tony Santos is the first player to make it to the semifinals of the men’s 4.0. Santos advanced after licking marathon man Chuck Sayon 6-4, 7-5. The AMP Park ranger is playing in the three divisions in the tournament.

Moving on to the elite eight of the men’s 4.0 are Elmer Guzman, Jorge Olanda, and Romy “Colonel” Sotto. Guzman hurdled Noel Dognidon 6-3, 6-3, while Olanda and Sotto outplayed Art Lopez (6-4, 6-4) and Perry Cacdac (3-6, 7-6 (9-7), 6-2), respectively.

The Sotto-Cacdac duel was the most exciting and longest of the evening. In a game that finished well past 10pm, Cacdac blew a couple of chances to wrap up the match.

He led 6-5 in the tiebreak before coming up with a double fault. Cacdac also held a 2-0 edge in the third set before losing the last six games to Sotto.

Already advancing to the semis of the men’s 4.0 last Sunday were Hector Gutierrez, John Kintaro, and Dodong Espanola.

Two players also scratched and clawed their way to the final four of the men’s 3.0 – Hector Benitez and Gary Ramsey. Benitez won over Nigel Cacdac 6-1, 7-5, while Ramsey eliminated Romy Espeleta 7-5, 6-2.

Only one match in the men’s 2.0 went down Monday and it saw Dennis Macatangay cut 6’4” Bobby Nato down to size 6-1, 6-1.

Mixed doubles, women singles, and more action in the men’s division will be played in the next three days. The 2004 CIC Tennis Classic concludes this Friday with an awards banquet at the AMP tennis courts.