Manila: Digvijay Pratap Singh of India spearheads the men's singles main draw in the Palawan Open, which unfolds at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center in Malate, Manila on Sunday. The 25-year-old Singh, currently No. 551 in the ATP rankings, reached the quarterfinals of the ITF M15 in Ahmedabad, India in March. He will face Ethan Cablitas in the first round of the PHP2 million event presented by the Philippine Sports Commission, Gentry Timepieces, and Bagong Pilipinas.
According to Philippines News Agency, second seed Alberto Lim Jr. opens against Adrian Cagitla, while third seed Eric Olivarez Jr., a quarterfinalist at the ITF M15 Luan in China, takes on Raphael Villanueva. American Christopher Papa, holding a career-best doubles ATP ranking of No. 446, enters as the tournament's No. 4 seed and clashes with Isaac Lim. India's Aggarwal Parth, seeded fifth, battles Joshua Ferrer.
Other local standouts expected to hurdle their opening assignments are Asian Games veteran Casey Alcantara, John Benedict Aguilar, Nilo Ledama, Vicente Anasta, Arthur Pantino, John Kendrick Bona, Ronard Joven, Jarell Edangga, Lance Fernandez, Noel Salupado, and Loucas Fernandez.
The women's singles division fires off Monday with top seed Tennielle Madis clashing with Althea Azores, and No. 2 Steffi Aludo facing a tough qualifier. Third seed Tiffany Nocostakes on Annika Diwa, and fourth seed Kaye-Ann Emana meets Amygray Olao.
'This tournament represents a vital investment in the future of Philippine tennis,' Palawan Group of Companies founder and chairman Bobby Castro said in a news release Saturday. 'Our goal is to provide local players with steady, high-level competition right here at home, expose them to world-class talent, and motivate the next generation of Filipino champions.'
The men's singles champion will take home PHP300,000, with the runner-up earning PHP150,000 and the losing semifinalists getting PHP100,000 each. The women's singles champion will pocket PHP100,000.
