More SEA Games Tennis Action

I'd like to apologize to my international readers (all six? three? of you) for writing so much about the Philippine contingent at the South East Asian Games. The SEA Games is a huge event over here in the Philippines and the fact that our local (well, not-so-local) tennis bets are doing well is just something I enjoy writing about a lot.

So, bad news first: Riza Zalameda and Denise Dy both lost today, effectively ending the Philippine campaign for a gold medal in women's singles. The #2 seed, Indonesia's Wynn Prakusya, defeated Zalameda with a convincing 6-1,6-2 scoreline. Dy fared slightly better against #1 seed Suchanan Viratprasert of Thailand, losing 4-6,5-7.

Zalameda still has a chance to score a gold medal in mixed doubles with "Dancing Netter" Eric Taino. The two sallied into the semifinals by beating Quang Huy Ngo and Thuy Dung Nguyen of Vietnam 6-2,6-1. This semifinal berth has already guaranteed Zalameda and Taino an automatic bronze medal.

Taino and Cecil Mamiit both steamrolled through their quarterfinal singles matches. Mamiit made quick work (6-0,6-0) of Vivongsay Vongsouthi of Laos, and Taino overpowered Sunu Wahyu Trijati 6-1,6-0. Meanwhile, homegrown doubles team Johnny Arcilla and Patrick John Tierro double-bageled Ekalath Phonepraseuth and Daliya Saidara of Laos, proceeding into the doubles quarterfinal where they face Indonesia's Suwandi Suwandi and Bonit Wiryawan.

All matches are played on Rizal Memorial Tennis Stadium's courts, which have been painted with the US Open color scheme of blue courts surrounded by green.

posted by Noelle De Guzman @ 9:25 PM