PWO: Japan's Hosogi eliminates PH's Aludo to enter main draw

MANILA, January 26 ------ The lone Filipina tennis player left in the qualifying rounds of the Philippine Women's Open (PWO) bowed out at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center in Manila. Stefi Aludo fell to Japan's Sakura Hosogi, 6-1, 6-2, in the final round of the qualifiers.

The 17-year-old Aludo tried to keep in step with the more experienced Hosogi throughout the match, when she finally broke serve to get on board 3-1 in the first set. The Japanese player ended the Filipina's momentum, as she went on to win the next games to seal the first set. Aludo struck first in the second set, but the Japanese player stayed composed to bring momentum back to her side. The Filipina player tried to stay competitive in the next games, but Hosogi's experience proved too much and ultimately sealed the victory, 6-2.

With the victory, the Japanese player enters the first main draw of her career. "I want to enjoy next match in main draw. There was so many people, fans. I was nervous to play against a Filipina player. I wanted to play good," she said in a post-match press conference. Hosogi's compatriot, Miho Kuramochi likewise booked a ticket to the main draw, after defeating Mia Horvit, 6-2, 6-1.

Another Japanese player, Rina Saigo, did not see the same fate as her compatriots. Saigo bowed to Peangtarn Plipuech of Thailand in straight sets, 6-3, 6-2, to crash out of the qualifying rounds. Russia's Viktoria Morvayova, meanwhile, eliminated Argentina's Nicole Fossa Huergo, 7-5, 6-3 to enter the main draw. Four Filipina tennis players will be competing in the main draw: No. 2 seed Alex Eala, rising star Tenny Madis, former UAAP MVP Kaye Emana and Elizabeth Abarquez of National University. Round of 32 of the Philippine Women's Open will begin on Monday, January 26.

Source: news.abs-cbn.com