Top seed Tennielle Madis downed Indonesian Joanne Lyn Hartono, 6-1, 6-1, Thursday to reach the girls singles quarterfinal in the Coca-Cola PHILTA International Juniors 2 at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center.
She will face sixth seed Naomi Hagi of Japan, who prevailed over Pimmada Lim of Thailand, 6-2, 7-5.
“It’s too hot today, but overall, I’m happy with the way I played,” said the 17-year-old Madis, who trains at the Philippine Tennis Academy founded by long-time sports patron Romy Chan.
She competed at a J100 event in Hong Kong (Nov. 26-30), and before that, she joined the two-leg J60 event in Changhua City Chinese Taipei, winning the singles and doubles (with Steffi Marithe Aludo) titles in the second leg last Nov. 24.
“Chinese Taipei and Hong Kong have cooler temperatures, so she’s still adjusting to the weather here,” explained SEAG Games medalist and former Davis Cupper Bobbie Angelo, who travels with Madis as PTA head coach.
Madis, who was born and raised in M’lang, North Cotabato, is eyeing a sixth singles title this year.
She won at the J30 PHINMA Week 1 and 2 in Makati City in July, J60 events in Colombo (Sri Lanka) in September, and Nonthaburi (Thailand) in October. She also has three doubles titles with PTA teammate Steffi Marithe Aludo.
Fourth seed Alexandra Cheishvili of Russia, Kannchaya Chungwatana of Thailand and Shinar Zahra Shukayna Heriyadi Sunggoro of Indonesia also booked quarterfinal seats in the ITF Juniors J60 event.
Cheishvili, who lives in Moscow, defeated Tarita Hobgsyok of Thailand, 6-1, 6-3; Chungwatana trounced qualifier Lara Rauti of Hong Kong, 6-2, 6-1; and Sunggoro conquered Australian Ashlee Lessue, 6-2, 6-2.
The boys singles quarterfinalists are No. 1 Jay Lin Gibson (Canada), No. 2 Lin Hao-Yu (Chinese Taipei), No. 4 Luke Koh and Luke Jie Xi Ho (Singapore), No. 6 Miguel Iglupas (Philippines), No. 7 Koki Nara and Yoshito Oda (Japan) and Fu Wang Choi (Hong Kong). (PNA)