Manila: Locals Miguel Ricardo Lagac III and Stefi Marithe Aludo failed to secure semifinal berths in the first leg of the rain-delayed Oscar J. Hilado J60 World Tennis Championship Friday at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center. Lagac, the country's top U18 player in the boy's division, bowed to Indian Aaradhya Mhasde, 1-6, 3-6, while the fifth-seeded Aludo lost to top seed Yerin Lee of Korea, 6-3, 6-0, in the girl's division.
According to Philippines News Agency, Mhasde will face second seed Ryu Kotikula of Thailand, who emerged victorious over sixth seed Vivaan Bidasaria of India with a score of 6-0, 6-4. In the boys' division, Indians Daksh Kukreti and Ribhav Saroha secured their spots in the semifinals, setting up a Final Four clash in the event offering World Tennis points. Kukreti advanced after top seed Dharma Pantaratorn of Thailand retired in the third set, with the score standing at 6-3, 5-7, 4-1. Saroha, on the other hand, defeated Max Johansson of Chinese Taipei, 6-2, 6-2.
In the girls' division, Lee will compete against No. 8 Sorvisa Kulphisanrat of Thailand, who achieved a 6-0, 6-2 victory over No. 3 Gwen Emily Kurniawan of Indonesia. This annual tournament, now in its 18th edition, has been renamed in honor of the late PHINMA Corp. Chairman Emeritus Oscar J. Hilado, recognizing his lifelong support and contributions to Philippine tennis. Past champions of the tournament include notable names such as Alexandra Eala, Francis Casey Alcantara, John Bryan Otico, Arthur Craig Pantino, Khim Iglupas, Tennielle Madis, and Aludo.
