PH netters reach World Juniors Championships quarterfinals

JUNIOR TENNISTERS. (L-R) Coach Patrick John Tierro, Alexandra Eala, Ma. Carmencita Carlos and Julia Ignacio pose during the opening ceremony of the World Juniors Tennis Championships Asia/Oceania Final Qualifying in Nonthaburi, Thailand on April 2. (Photo courtesy of Michael Francis Eala)

MANILA — The Philippines bowed to Thailand, 1-2, on Wednesday but still advanced in the quarterfinals of the (Under 14) World Juniors Tennis Championships Asia/Oceania Final Qualifying in Nonthaburi, Thailand.

Ma. Carmencita Isabela Carlos lost to Salakthip Ounmuang, 3-6, 2-6, in the first singles but Alexandra Eala won over Lanlana Tararudee, 3-6, 6-2, 6-3, in the second singles. However, Carlos and Eala surrendered to Ounmuang and Tararudee, 2-6, 6-4, 7-10 in the doubles.

Thailand, which topped Group B with a 3-0 win-loss record, and the Philippines, which has a 2-1 slate, will advance to the quarterfinals on Thursday.

Thailand defeated Lebanon (3-0) and Kazakhstan (3-0) while the Philippines won over Lebanon (3-0) and Kazakhstan (3-0) in the round-robin.

Meanwhile, Chinese Taipei beat South Korea (3-0), Malaysia (3-0) and Hong Kong (3-0) to finish on top of Group A. South Korea prevailed over Malaysia (3-0) and Hong Kong (2-1) to also reach the quarterfinal round.

The quarterfinalists in Group C are China and Australia.

China conquered Australia (2-1), India (3-0) and Sri Lanka (3-0), while Australia won over Sri Lanka (3-0) and India (3-0).

In Group D, Japan downed New Zealand (3-0), Indonesia (3-0) and Uzbekistan (3-0) to advance to the next round together with New Zealand, which won over Indonesia (3-0) and Uzbekistan (2-1).

The Top 4 teams will advance to the World Championships in August in the Czech Republic.