Filipino Tennielle Madis prepares to make a return against No. 10 Korean Lee Hyun-yee in the second round of the Nonthaburi Closed Regional Championships at the Lawn Tennis Association of Thailand hard court. She won, 1-6, 6-2, 6-2. (Contributed photo)
Philippine Tennis Academy standout Tennielle Madis pulled off a major upset at the Nonthaburi Closed Regional Championships in Thailand, ousting 10th seed Lee Hyun-yee of South Korea in a thrilling comeback, 1-6, 6-2, 6-2, during Tuesday’s second-round match on the Lawn Tennis Association of Thailand hard courts.
Madis, who opened her campaign with a dominant 6-3, 6-2 win over Kimiko Cooper, recently achieved a career-high ITF Juniors singles ranking of No. 208.
The 17-year-old from M’lang, North Cotabato is set for a tough third-round clash against sixth seed Kamonwan Yodpetch of Thailand, currently ranked No. 78 in the world. Yodpetch cruised past Australia’s Elizabeth Ivanov, 7-5, 6-0.
“Lee Hyun-yee is ranked No. 105 and is the Orange Bowl champion. She played really well. This is a huge win for Tenny, especially after dropping the first set,” said PTA head coach Robert Angelo, a former Davis Cup player and SEA Games medalist. “She showed real heart and determination.”
In other second-round results, Japanese qualifier Riyo Yoshida shocked 15th seed Sarah Mildren of Australia, 6-1, 7-5, to set up a third-round meeting with second seed Yuhan Wang of China, who eased past Ching Laam Lai of Hong Kong, 6-1, 6-3.
Top seed Reina Goto of Japan edged Shihomi Li Xuan of Malaysia in a tight contest, 7-6 (3), 6-4. She will face 13th seed Zhang-Qian Wei of China, who dispatched Sim Siyeon of South Korea, 6-1, 6-4.
Also advancing to the third round were fourth seed Renee Alame of Australia, fifth seed Yihan Qu of China, and seventh seed Yushan Shao of China. Alame defeated China’s Xiatong Wang, 6-2, 6-3; Qu overwhelmed fellow Aussie Rianna Alame, 6-1, 6-2; and Shao beat Japanese qualifier Riho Goto, 6-0, 6-4.
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