By Jean Malanum
MANILA – Marian Capadocia eliminated fourth seed Kaye Ann Emana, 6-4, 4-6, 6-3, Tuesday to reach the round-of-16 in the Philta Women’s National Open at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center in Malate, Manila.
Capadocia, playing in her first tournament after giving birth, will face Yuki Madrio, who defeated No. 14 Amelia Baulite, 6-4, 6-0.
“It’s good to be back. And I love the pressure, being a mom while playing, it’s really good, especially my baby is watching. So it’s good inspiration for me,” Capadocia, who secured a record 10 singles title at the 2024 Philippine Columbian Association (PCA) Open, said.
Philippine Tennis Academy bets Tennielle Madis and Stefi Marithe Aludo also moved to the next round of the event supported by Tecnifibre and the Philippine Sports Commission.
The top-seeded Madis demolished Avemaria Policarpio, 6-0, 6-0, to forge a third-round meeting with No. 15 Bea Gomez, a 6-3, 6-1 winner over May Bautista.
No. 2 Aludo, on the other hand, clobbered Althea Azures, 6-0, 6-0, to advance against No. 13 Mekaela Vicencio, who won over Mary Basas, 6-1, 6-1.
Third pick Tiffany Nocos, fifth seed Angeline Alcala, sixth seed Elizabeth Abarquez, No. 7 Mica Emana and No. 8 Althea Faye Ong also won their matches.
Nocos drubbed Dyeinah Olalo, 6-1, 6-0, to advance against No. 16 Lourianne Jallorina, who outplayed Mary Natano, 6-4, 6-4.
Alcala rallied past Kaye Muztaza, 3-6, 6-1, 6-1, to advance against No. 10 Jayden Ballado, a 6-1, 6-0 winner over Sophia Opoc.
Abarquez downed Shiloh Cruz, 6-1, 6-1, to advance against Paula Ysabelle Uy, who beat Nealen Ras, 6-1, 6-2.
Emana conquered Khalila Imalay, 6-3, 6-4, to advance against No. 11 Annika Diwa, who won over Remedios Del, 6-1, 6-2.
Ong waylaid Geryline Reside, 6-0, 6-0, to advance against Joana Peña, who blanked Ava Banson, 6-0, 6-0. (PNA)
