Junior netters shine in DFS singles

The men’s and women’s open singles titles of the 25th Annual DFS Micronesia Tennis Championships belong to two junior netters as rising stars Ji Hoon Heo and Vivian Lee overcame their much older opponents in the three-day weekend at the Pacific Islands Club.

After earning a shot at the title in the men’s open, Heo was faced with a tough task as he battled veteran Jeff Race, who also happens to be Heo’s coach in the upcoming 6th Micronesian Games.

The teacher-student battle was the last in the tournament, concluding yesterday afternoon, and it was intense from start to finish.

The veteran got the better of the young gun in the opening set as Race worked his way against his student to score a 6-2 victory.

Heo was not ready to give in, though, as he proved the match would not be a walk in the park for his mentor. The 14-year-old used his speed and placed his shots well to survive and win, 6-4.

Race seemed to be on his way to claiming the title as he opened the third set by winning the first four games. Heo, however, was able to turn thing around, nailed countless winners, and tied the score at 4-4.

Race took the next game, and had his chance to finish off his student but Heo was able to mix lobs and his powerful forehand shots to win the next game.

Heo then grabbed a 6-5 advantage and was up 40-0 when Race scored twice to make it 30-40. Race was unable to force deuce, though, and Heo walked off the court as champion.

Meanwhile, Lee controlled her bout against Amanda Weindl and added another singles title to her collection with a straight sets victory. She took the first set 6-2, and got stiffer resistance in the second set before digging deep and pushing the right buttons for a 6-4 clincher.

Jorge Olanda also earned a title as he defeated Sonny Decena 6-4, 6-1 to win the men’s 40-and-over singles, while Nanding Cajigan was able to get past Eli Buenaventura, who retired in the second set. Buenaventura won the first set, 6-3, and was trailing 3-4 in the second before retiring.

For their part, Art Borromeo edged KMCV news director Chris Nelson to win the men’s 4.0 title 6-4, 6-2, and Benjie Decena earned the men’s 3.0 title with a 6-2, 6-1 win over Randy Steele.

Other women’s results include Matty Buenaventura’s winning the women’s 4.0 crown after her 6-3, 6-2 win over Cleofe Santos gave her three wins in the round-robin affair. Santos placed second after winning two matches.

In doubles, James Camacho and Joe Motto Jr. joined forces to win the boys’ 13-and-under division, scoring a 6-1, 6-1 victory over Raffy Jones and Bradley Brostrom, while Ramsey brothers Quintin and Colin defeated Michael Grandinetti and Andrew Johnson 7-5 to win the boys’ nine-and-under title.

Gabrielle Race and Michaela Grandinetti also found success in their girls’ nine-and-under doubles, winning all three of their matches to post the best record in the round-robin competition. Sabrina Bilston-John and Mika Lopez placed second after winning two matches.

Also, Jeff Race and Mayuko Arriola were able to win the mixed open doubles, stuffing Audrey Motto and Heo 6-1, 6-2 Saturday afternoon.